Authorities from Cuba's Ministry of the Interior recently confiscated several 20-liter barrels of oil during a search at a residence in the La Villa neighborhood, located in the Los Coquitos district of Camagüey. This operation was reported by the "Héroes de azul en Cuba" Facebook page, which is associated with the communist regime.
The operation, described as a “joint action” involving specialized forces and the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), was aimed at curbing the misappropriation of state resources. Additional containers and accessories, allegedly intended for the illegal extraction and sale of fuel, were also seized during the search.
The official report indicated that the investigation targeted individuals suspected of systematically diverting fuel allocated for the provincial railway sector. However, details regarding arrests, ongoing legal proceedings, or the exact quantity of fuel seized were not disclosed.
According to the post, the PNR reiterated their “commitment to safeguarding the national heritage” and issued a warning about the legal repercussions of engaging in the illegal receipt and trade of state resources. They also called for public cooperation in reporting such activities.
This type of operation occurs against the backdrop of a severe energy crisis in Cuba, characterized by prolonged power outages and fuel shortages. This situation has fueled both the informal market and the state’s repressive actions against citizens accused of resource diversion, often linked to daily survival needs.
Fuel Theft Scandal at Matanzas CUPET Company
On December 15, it was revealed that a shift supervisor and a security officer from the Matanzas Fuel Marketing Company were caught red-handed stealing 25 liters of gasoline, according to a source within the Ministry of the Interior (Minint).
The Facebook profile “Con Todos La Victoria” reported that during an early morning shift, two employees from the UEB Fuel Marketing Company in Matanzas, Terminal 320, were discovered having siphoned gasoline from one of CUPET's tanks, storing it in plastic bags.
The individuals involved were identified as Marcial Rudelay Cancino Ochoterena and Ernesto Mesa Méndez.
The publication deemed the incident “entirely disgraceful" and emphasized that the employees' duty was to protect resources meant for the economy and public welfare. It was noted that the workers will have to face justice for their actions.
The news has sparked mixed reactions among followers of the page. Some condemned the workers’ actions, attributing them to a lack of principles and the erosion of moral values in Cuban society, while supporting harsh penalties for those who steal state assets.
Conversely, many justified the incident as a direct consequence of the country's fuel crisis, arguing that if the state provided wages sufficient to meet basic needs, such incidents would not occur. Others questioned why the crackdown seems to target only workers committing offenses, while the police do not act as decisively against corruption and theft by state company executives and high-level officials.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Resource Misappropriation
What triggered the recent fuel confiscation in Camagüey?
The confiscation was part of a joint operation to tackle the diversion of state resources, specifically targeting individuals suspected of systematically redirecting fuel meant for the provincial railway sector.
How has the energy crisis affected illegal activities in Cuba?
The severe energy crisis, marked by fuel shortages and power outages, has intensified both the informal market and state crackdowns on citizens accused of diverting resources, often linked to survival efforts.
Who were the employees involved in the Matanzas fuel theft scandal?
The employees implicated in the theft were Marcial Rudelay Cancino Ochoterena and Ernesto Mesa Méndez, a shift supervisor and a security officer, respectively.