Gas Cylinders Now Available for Purchase in Dollars Through...

What Happened

The company Katapulk, owned by Cuban-American businessman Hugo Cancio, has announced it is now selling 10-kilogram liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders for $29. This service is available to customers in Havana.

The offer comes as a response to significant fuel shortages and difficulties within the state's official distribution system. The platform presents this as an alternative way to ensure access to essential domestic fuel.

Where and When

This new service is specifically for customers located in Havana. The announcement was made in May 2026, amidst ongoing fuel scarcity throughout Cuba.

To receive a new cylinder, customers must provide an empty, usable cylinder in good condition for an exchange. This requirement has raised questions given existing state regulations.

Why It's Important

This development highlights the growing trend of services operating in U.S. dollars as a parallel market to the struggling state distribution system. It offers a potential solution for families needing essential fuel amidst widespread shortages.

The operation raises questions about how private, dollar-based transactions integrate with or bypass official state control mechanisms for vital resources like LPG.

What the Parties Say

Katapulk announced the service on social media, stating, "Ensure the essentials for your family in Cuba, without complications." They emphasize the exchange requirement for the empty cylinder.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines' regulations stipulate that LPG cylinders are state property administered by CUPET. Customers have usage rights but must return empty cylinders for the service to continue. It remains unclear how Katapulk's private operation aligns with these state rules.

What Comes Next

This follows a similar offering by Supermarket23, which also began selling LPG cylinders for dollars, requiring an empty cylinder exchange. Both initiatives underscore the challenges in the official gas distribution network.

Cuba's energy crisis, including a lack of imported fuel for months, continues to impact daily life, exacerbating issues like prolonged blackouts. The expansion of dollar-based fuel sales is a notable development to watch.