Cuban Authorities Arrest Two with Large Fuel Haul, Sparking Social Media Backlash

In a move emblematic of the Cuban government's crackdown on economic activities outside its control, two individuals were apprehended in Matanzas, accused of "illegal economic activity" after being found with 625 liters of gasoline in their private vehicle.

The arrest took place at the Versalles bridge and was publicized by the pro-government Facebook page, Con todos la Victoria, which hailed it as part of a state-led campaign against "illegalities and social indiscipline."

According to the report, the individuals in custody are Yasimel Pérez Falcón, a self-employed worker with a past criminal record for burglary and cattle theft, and Pedro Roberto Cañete Sánchez, who has no criminal history and is currently unemployed. Both are still detained and, as the official narrative goes, "will face the law."

The announcement was accompanied by the slogan, "Zero tolerance towards crime, illegalities, and social indiscipline," reflecting the regime's harsh stance against any economic survival tactics that fall outside its stringent rules.

A System in Crisis Exposed

Instead of rallying public support, the incident has ignited a wave of criticism on social media, highlighting the dire circumstances that drive Cubans to such measures in order to survive.

The reactions underscore the contradictions in a nation where legally obtaining gasoline is nearly impossible for most, and informal sellers fill a critical gap left by the state. "They don't produce gasoline. That came from a gas station," one user commented, pointing to the likely internal corruption within state facilities responsible for distributing fuel.

Another commentator questioned the effectiveness of the government's approach, "If they don't know how the gasoline was obtained, they're doing nothing, right?" This highlights the lack of in-depth investigations into the true sources of internal corruption.

The opaque nature of fuel distribution remains an open secret on the island. Despite governmental claims that gasoline can be procured through the Ticket reservation app, the reality tells a different story of scarcity and unmet needs. "Where can I buy all I need? Because as far as I know, it's through the Ticket app, and it's sold in limited amounts," one frustrated user remarked.

Crime or Necessity?

Many Cubans are questioning whether such cases should be criminalized, or viewed as inevitable outcomes of the country's economic turmoil. "Lies and more lies. Leave the poor guys alone, they're just trying to survive. If you could, you'd do it too," one comment encapsulated the sentiment that these individuals are not criminals, but rather victims of systemic poverty.

Other comments offered a more sarcastic take on the situation, pointing out the hypocrisy within official rhetoric. "Going after the ants while the elephants run rampant," one user noted, alluding to the impunity enjoyed by those truly responsible for corruption within the regime.

In line with this sentiment, another user was blunt: "They need to dig deeper and find out where it came from. They are likely just recipients, part of the corruption. This fuel comes from somewhere."

The Political Weaponization of Punishment

For some, the social media spotlight on this case is seen as part of a larger strategy of public shaming and manipulation typical of the regime. "From another angle, it's not a crime, just negligence for transporting fuel without protection. I don't think that fuel is stolen. It's paid for in garages in Havana, the only place you can get it," an observer explained, noting that many families rely on resold fuel to power generators and preserve food.

Beyond the official narrative, this incident further illustrates the collapse of the centralized distribution model imposed by the Cuban government. While two citizens are blamed for hoarding gasoline, thousands lack regular access to fuel, even for essential purposes like powering medical equipment, refrigeration, or transporting goods.

"Thanks to the resellers, problems get solved. Nothing happens without reselling, not even our daily bread," one commenter admitted.

Another user cautioned, "This country is so messed up that if you could do the same, you would too."

Amidst a shattered economy, symbolic wages, chronic shortages, and an increasingly impoverished population, what the regime labels as "illegal economic activity" is simply the desperate struggle of a citizenry striving to survive under the state's inefficiency and total control.