In the city of Sancti Spíritus, purchasing a new cylinder of liquefied gas now costs buyers $80 in cash, an amount that exceeds 22 times the monthly minimum wage in Cuba. The state-run company Unión Cuba-Petróleo (Cupet) has resumed sales in the area, yet the steep prices and restrictions on accessing the fuel make it difficult for residents to obtain.
This information was verified by the independent news outlet 14ymedio, which reported the sale of new 20-pound cylinders, filled and complete with accessories, in Cupet's state-run stores.
The price, when evaluated against the informal exchange rate of 890 CUP per dollar as of October 31, equates to a staggering 71,200 Cuban pesos. Despite this, Cupet insists on payment in dollars.
To put this in perspective, the current minimum wage in Cuba stands at 3,210 pesos per month. A worker earning this wage would need to allocate more than 22 full months of salary to afford the gas cylinder, without accounting for other essential expenses like food, transportation, and basic necessities.
Even with the resumption of sales, immediate purchase of gas is not guaranteed. According to 14ymedio, Cupet is selling gas at three locations in Sancti Spíritus: their main office and outlets in the Colón and Los Olivos neighborhoods. Buyers must join a waiting list and hope for product availability.
There is a slightly cheaper option, but it is not accessible to all. At the Santa Elena street outlet, authorized customers can exchange an empty cylinder for a refill at $55. This service is reserved for healthcare workers, bank employees, and staff from certain authorized workplaces.
Even this lower price option translates to about 48,950 pesos at the quoted informal rate, equivalent to more than 15 monthly minimum wages. Both conversions highlight the disparity between prices and local income levels.
These sales have recommenced after a year without regular state supply of liquefied gas. Since October 2025, Sancti Spíritus had experienced a suspension of state gas sales, prompting a surge in the informal market and forcing many families to seek alternative cooking methods.
The rising cost of gas is not unique to Sancti Spíritus. In Holguín, the reopening of a sales point in the El Llano neighborhood sparked criticism after users reported the initial purchase, including a new cylinder, costs $94, with subsequent refills priced at $50.
Unlike the process in Sancti Spíritus as reported by 14ymedio, the Holguín outlet requires transactions to be handled through an online platform from abroad. Though the terms and costs of these transactions differ, both represent a significant financial burden for those reliant on Cuban peso incomes.
FAQs on Gas Sales and Pricing in Cuba
Why is the gas price so high in Sancti Spíritus?
The high price of gas in Sancti Spíritus is due to the state-run company Cupet's pricing policy, which requires payment in dollars. The informal exchange rate further inflates costs for local residents who earn in Cuban pesos.
How does the gas supply situation affect Cuban households?
The irregular supply and high cost of gas compel many Cuban households to resort to alternative cooking methods or participate in the informal market, as regular state-provided options are either unavailable or unaffordable.
What options do consumers have for purchasing gas?
Consumers can purchase new cylinders for $80 or refill existing ones at a lower price of $55, but this cheaper option is only available to specific groups such as healthcare workers and bank employees, and both options require payment in dollars.