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The Liquefied Gas Company informed its customers that at this time, "the distribution and sale are affected due to a product shortage."
The concise official note - published on the morning of this Monday - stated that the gas shortage will be "until the next import is carried out."
However, it did not anticipate a anticipated arrival date for the next ship.
"CUPET is taking the necessary steps to restore the service as soon as possible", added the state-owned company.
The note concluded by stating that "the company's management remains committed to providing timely information, through official channels, about the resumption of commercial activity and purchasing cycles starting from the last acquisition date."
The distribution of liquefied gas in Cuba has faced serious challenges in recent months, affecting millions of Cuban households that rely on this fuel for cooking.
The instability in supply has resulted in constant delays and restrictions in sales, forcing authorities to seek alternatives to ensure its availability.
Several cases of corruption related to a basic necessity have also been reported.
The lack of gas has led many families to turn to alternative sources for cooking food, such as charcoal and firewood, and it is important to consider that frequent blackouts pose another problem for those who choose electric stoves.
Changes to the regulations for liquefied gas service
On February 11, the regime announced new adjustments to the regulations for the liquefied gas service for the public, although it justified this as part of a plan for "more efficient use of energy and fuels."
The modifications were officially announced through Resolution No. 18/2025, according to a post on X by Unión Cuba-Petróleo (CUPET).
While the government has presented these measures as part of a strategy to optimize energy consumption, the supply crisis is largely due to Cuba's dependence on gas imports, which have been disrupted due to financial issues and logistical difficulties.
The announced changes on that occasion were the following:
PRIMERO
In the event that the contract holder is temporarily out of the country and there are family members living in the home, the service will be maintained for a period of up to two years. After this period, a contract will be established with one of the occupants, as decided among them; prior to this, the official document from the Immigration and Foreign Affairs Department stating the holder's status as a resident abroad must be submitted to the Commercial House or CUPET Processing Office.
In the event that there are multiple residents and no consensus has been reached, the contract will be assigned to the person who holds the title of the property. If this coincides with the titleholder, the order of preference will be: spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, uncle, nephew, cousin, father-in-law, and brother-in-law; who must meet the requirement specified in the previous section.
If you reside permanently outside the country and there are other members of the family living in the household, a provisional contract will be made for a term of up to two years with the person designated as the head of the household.
A provisional contract will be made for a term of up to two years with the person who, without being a member of the family unit, resides in the dwelling; they will receive the service exceptionally without having to provide the Supply Booklet.
At the end of the two years, the provisional contract will be extended for one more year; upon the conclusion of this period, if the holder makes an express statement at the Cuban consulate or office requesting to retain ownership of the contract, it will be held as a deposit by CUPET until their entry into the country; if they choose to transfer the rights, the provisional contract will be established as definitive.
SEGUNDO
In the event that the contract holder is incarcerated due to a criminal penalty or under a precautionary measure of provisional imprisonment and resides alone, the contract will become inactive but may be reactivated when the measure is modified to one that does not involve deprivation of liberty.
To maintain the service, a provisional contract will be made in the name of the person who remains in charge of the family unit with whom the holder resides, until the conditions that led to this decision change.
The same treatment will be exceptionally given to the person who, not being part of the family unit, is taking care of the household; they will receive the service without needing to provide the Supply Booklet.
This exception must be reflected in the Control Card at the Point of Sale.
TERCERO
The service contract for the released sale can be transferred to any municipality in the country, regardless of whether this modality exists or not.
The holder will receive the delivery twice a year if it is applied in the municipality.
CUARTO
The holder with a contract for two 10-kilogram cylinders may transfer their rights to relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity: parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, great-grandparents, great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and to the second degree of affinity: spouse, in-laws, parents-in-law, grandparents of the spouse, and siblings-in-law.
This act will result in the execution of a new contract in favor of the person to whom the right has been assigned.
QUINTO
The holder of the liquefied gas service contract who sells their home and does not transfer it for the new residence or assign rights in favor of the buyer, CUPET will proceed to enter into a provisional contract for a term of up to two years with the new owner of the home until the holder exercises their rights.
If the contract holder exercises their right, the provisional contract of up to two years will be terminated; otherwise, the contract will become permanent for the new owner of the property.
CUPET will proceed with the collection of the cylinder and the termination of the contract held by individuals who do not meet the aforementioned requirements.
Despite regulatory adjustments, the uncertainty regarding stable access to liquefied gas remains a concern for the population.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Liquefied Gas Crisis in Cuba
Why is there a shortage of liquefied gas in Cuba?
The shortage of liquefied gas in Cuba is due to financial issues that have affected payments to international suppliers, resulting in partial deliveries of the fuel. Additionally, logistical difficulties and economic sanctions have further complicated the situation. This energy crisis has led Cuban families to seek alternatives such as using charcoal and firewood for cooking.
What are the new regulations for liquefied gas service in Cuba?
The new regulations include measures to maintain service in the event of a temporary absence of the contract holder, transfer of contracts to cohabiting individuals in the absence of the holder, and conditions for provisional contracts. The government justifies these changes as a strategy to optimize energy use, although the root of the problem is the dependency on imports and supply interruptions.
How is the government managing the distribution of liquefied gas in light of this crisis?
The Cuban government has promised to manage the arrival of tanker ships and resume the distribution of liquefied gas, prioritizing those who did not receive the supply in previous cycles. However, the solutions are temporary and the distribution capacity remains limited in the face of high demand, which is causing discontent among the population.
What impact does the lack of liquefied gas have on the daily lives of Cubans?
The lack of liquefied gas has a significant impact on the daily lives of Cubans, as it is essential for cooking. The scarcity forces families to resort to alternative methods such as using wood or charcoal stoves, which not only represents a decline in quality of life but also poses risks to health and the environment.
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