Four individuals have been handed sentences ranging from two to 12 years in prison by the Provincial Popular Court of Sancti Spíritus for stealing and illegally selling liquefied gas cylinders. This was reported on Friday by the official newspaper Escambray.
The First Criminal Chamber conducted a two-day trial, related to case 14 of 2026, evaluating the level of involvement of each defendant in crimes involving burglary, fencing, and unlawful economic activities.
Two of the convicted individuals were involved in nighttime thefts, targeting over 20 occupied homes in the city. One was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while the other received a 10-year sentence, both for repeated burglary offenses.
In addition to prison terms, the court mandated that they jointly compensate the homeowners for the damages and stolen goods.
The prosecution highlighted the "dangerous nature of the offenses, given that the thefts were carried out in inhabited homes," and the victims who testified expressed that their financial situations were negatively impacted.
A third individual received a sentence of two and a half years for receiving stolen goods, as he purchased the stolen cylinders and resold them without verifying their origin.
The fourth defendant was sentenced to two years for illegal economic activity, as he engaged in the clandestine sale of gas, obtained by purchasing cards and contracts from people not using the resource.
All were subjected to additional sanctions, including the deprivation of rights and a ban on leaving the national territory until their sentences are served, according to the report.
The parties have ten days from the written notification of the sentence to file for an appeal.
Back in June 2025, the Ministry of the Interior dismantled a similar network of four individuals in Sancti Spíritus, which operated between January and May of that year. The main perpetrator admitted to 25 thefts in homes across the provincial capital.
These incidents are part of a prolonged supply crisis, making liquefied gas a scarce and highly sought-after commodity. Since October 2025, over 37,000 clients in the province have been without fuel, and the city's eight distribution points have not had any sales.
This shortage has fueled a thriving black market in Sancti Spíritus, where 10-kilogram cylinders have been sold for as much as 70,000 Cuban pesos on the informal market, compared to the official price of 350 pesos set by Resolution 155/2026.
Nationally, 834,000 out of 1.7 million registered clients were unable to obtain liquefied gas through the state network during the April distributions, reflecting the deepening energy crisis afflicting the island.
Sancti Spíritus Gas Theft: Key Questions Answered
What were the sentences for those convicted of gas cylinder theft in Sancti Spíritus?
The convicted individuals received prison sentences ranging from two to 12 years based on their involvement in the theft and illegal sale of gas cylinders.
How has the gas supply crisis affected Sancti Spíritus?
The ongoing crisis has left over 37,000 clients without gas since October 2025, with no sales at the city's distribution points, creating a flourishing black market.
What impact did the thefts have on local residents?
Residents affected by the thefts reported significant financial impacts due to the loss of their gas cylinders and the subsequent need to pay inflated black market prices.