Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced on Thursday the implementation of a series of government measures, including consumption restrictions, to address a complex energy situation exacerbated by U.S. coercive measures.
During a press conference that lasted two hours, the head of state explained that fuel shipments have not been received since December due to the tightening of the blockade against Venezuela, which is affecting electricity generation and basic economic and social activities.
“We have problems with fuel availability to guarantee not only electricity generation, but also basic activities that directly impact the population,” he stated.
The president reported that the Council of Ministers met to approve updated directives based on the guidelines issued by the historical leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro, during the “Special Period,” with the aim of addressing the shortages.
“Even with the energy blockade, we will not give up on receiving fuel in our country. That is a right we have, and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure the country can once again have a supply,” he asserted.
Díaz-Canel described as “condemnable” and “criminal” the policy of a powerful nation that seeks to suffocate a small country, asking: “What right does a nation have to prevent a country from receiving fuel?”
As part of the strategy to counteract the effects of the blockade, the president detailed several actions underway, such as increasing domestic production.
The president specified that the extraction of oil and associated gas will be boosted, and this year it is expected that 20,000 new Havana consumers will be connected to the manufactured gas network.
He also noted that Cuban scientists are working on projects to refine domestic crude oil and obtain derivatives such as gasoline and diesel, following a successful test at the end of last year.
Progress is also being made in the recovery and construction of new fuel storage capacity, lost after the Matanzas fire, to allow for the reception of larger volumes.
“We are going to see this as an opportunity for development, for sustainable development, for greater energy sovereignty and less dependence,” the president emphasized.
The president acknowledged that the measures, some of them restrictive, “will demand effort” and “sacrifice” from the population, but stressed that surrender is not an option for Cuba.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
