The Cimex corporation has announced that the recent changes in fuel sales are temporary, with a plan to gradually resume sales in Cuban pesos (CUP) when the necessary conditions are met.
According to the state-run website Cubadebate, Juan Sera Blázquez, Cimex's Vice President of Commercial Operations, stated that the restrictions have been implemented due to the challenging supply situation facing the country.
He emphasized that this is not a permanent decision. "It's not a closed decision. Once we have objective conditions, we will gradually resume sales in USD," Blázquez clarified, noting that any easing of restrictions will depend on fuel availability and logistical capacity to maintain supply.
Current Fuel Distribution System
Currently, the sale of B90 and B94 gasoline in foreign currency is managed through the digital platform Ticket, available at 144 service centers across the nation. Each customer is allowed to purchase up to 20 liters per transaction, valid for 24 hours.
Out of these, 48 service centers are specifically designated for the tourism sector, which is key for earning foreign currency.
Challenges with the New Fuel Sales System
The government highlighted that the reorganization aims to manage a scarce resource effectively, prioritizing essential economic activities and services. Meanwhile, previously scheduled slots for CUP purchases remain valid and will be honored once national currency sales resume, as confirmed by executives from the tech company XETID.
The introduction of this new scheme led to high demand on the Ticket platform, resulting in technical issues due to simultaneous access by thousands of users. Some adjustments and maintenance had to be conducted to stabilize the service, with the system reportedly receiving tens of thousands of requests per second.
Refunds for Previous Fuel Purchases
Simultaneously, Fincimex has announced plans to facilitate refunds for balances on rechargeable chip cards formerly used for fuel purchases. These refunds will occur gradually through bank transfers, considering the large number of cards in circulation.
Cimex reiterated that the current scheme is a response to an exceptional situation, and as supply conditions improve, they will consider expanding the number of service centers and gradually reinstating sales in Cuban pesos.
This announcement comes amid a backdrop of scarcity and pressure on energy services, where access to fuel has become a major concern for the public.
Understanding Cuba's Fuel Supply Situation
Why did Cimex impose fuel sales restrictions?
Cimex implemented fuel sales restrictions due to a challenging supply situation in Cuba, necessitating a temporary measure to manage limited resources effectively.
What is the Ticket platform used for?
The Ticket platform is used to manage the sale of B90 and B94 gasoline in foreign currency, allowing customers to purchase fuel at designated service centers across Cuba.
How are refunds for chip card balances being handled?
Fincimex is handling refunds for chip card balances through bank transfers, carried out gradually due to the high volume of cards in use.