After enduring more than 20 days without the ability to cook due to power outages and a shortage of gas, a Cuban woman had to spend $99 on a mere eight-kilogram gas cylinder. Even then, she had to travel to Campo Florido in Havana to pick it up herself.
The story revolves around Gely la Flaki, a well-known figure on social media, who shared her ordeal in a series of Facebook videos. She faced numerous challenges in securing the gas through CubaMax, a shipping company based in Hialeah, Florida.
"In Cuba, even with money, it's tough to get things done," she remarked at the start of one of her videos.
This statement encapsulated her entire experience. Gely recounted the struggle of over 20 days without cooking gas, compounded by frequent power cuts that rendered electric appliances useless as an alternative.
Desperate for a solution, she opted to pay the $99 to obtain a gas cylinder from CubaMax.
"I managed to get it through CubaMax, but they are incredibly expensive. It cost me a total of ninety-nine dollars, and on top of it, I have to go to Campo Florido to pick it up," she explained.
Comparison with Local Gas Cylinders
The surprise did not end with the price. Upon finally obtaining the cylinder, Gely discovered it was smaller than the typical domestic ones used in Cuba. The new cylinder holds eight kilograms compared to the usual 10 kg of the standard domestic cylinders.
"Yes, ninety-nine dollars, and wait. It's much smaller than the original," she commented while displaying both cylinders on camera.
Initially, Gely hoped that the hefty expense would at least allow her to keep a spare cylinder for use when gas became available at a lower price. However, the size difference thwarted this plan.
"I tried to convince myself psychologically to lessen the pain of spending that much. I thought, 'No, I'll have an extra cylinder for when it gets cheaper. I'll buy two.' But no, because this one is much smaller than the ones usually sold," she elaborated.
Additionally, she worried that the eight-kilogram cylinder might not be compatible with the usual state exchange system for gas containers.
"And obviously, when I trade this tiny, empty cylinder for a larger one, they won't accept it," she lamented.
Commenters on her videos noted that the $99 likely covered the initial purchase, including the container, while future refills would cost between $19 and $29.
Economic Disparities and the Struggle for Basic Needs
The expense highlights the vast gap between the official price of liquefied gas and the amount a family might have to pay when the product is unavailable through regulated channels.
In July 2026, the Cuban government set the price for liquefied gas at 35 pesos per kilogram, making a 10 kg cylinder officially priced at 350 pesos. However, the challenge for many families isn't just the cost but also the availability.
Prolonged shortages have fueled informal alternatives and purchases from abroad. Between May and June, gas cylinders in the informal market ranged from $24 to $50, while offers in Santiago de Cuba reached up to 65,000 pesos for the gas and 75,000 pesos with the cylinder included.
In such a context, spending $99 on an eight-kilogram cylinder illustrates the lengths a family might go to secure a basic necessity like cooking food.
Crisis of Cooking Amidst Energy Shortages
The situation described by Gely occurs amidst an energy crisis that has severely limited the domestic options available to Cubans. CUPET halted the distribution of liquefied gas in eastern Cuba in January due to supply issues. In August, a malfunction in Canasí disrupted the manufactured gas service in seven Havana municipalities.
In addition to the fuel shortage, power outages in some areas of the country last for much of the day. When electricity and gas are both scarce, cooking becomes an extraordinary challenge, forcing families to resort to alternatives like coal and wood.
The story sparked numerous reactions on social media, particularly regarding the price paid.
"$100 covers two years of gas for me here in Colombia," a Colombian user commented.
Another highlighted a harsher reality: being able to afford that amount is itself a privilege in a country where state salaries are paid in Cuban pesos.
"You are privileged to be able to buy it. The working people can't," someone pointed out.
Gely didn't hide the disproportionate nature of the expense. Yet after over 20 days of struggling to cook, she explained that she saw little choice.
"Yes, dear, ninety-nine for a gas cylinder. With gas, of course. The good thing is that I keep the cylinder. It seems unreal, but it's true. But it has to be done because how else will I cook?"
Her experience underscores one of the harshest paradoxes of the daily crisis in Cuba: having money no longer guarantees finding what you need, but when it does, fulfilling a basic need like cooking can cost nearly $100.
Understanding Cuba's Gas Crisis
Why did the Cuban woman pay $99 for a gas cylinder?
She paid $99 due to a severe shortage of domestic gas and power outages that left her with no other options for cooking.
What challenges are Cuban families facing with gas shortages?
Cuban families are dealing with long-standing shortages of domestic gas, compounded by frequent power outages, making cooking a significant daily challenge.
How does the price of gas on the black market compare to the official price?
The black market prices range from $24 to $50, significantly higher than the official price set by the government, highlighting the scarcity and desperation among consumers.