Through the messaging app, this teacher by profession was in charge of making the daily list of buyers and establishing strict instructions
14ymedio, Havana, 25 December 2024 — Before the government acknowledged the magnitude of the energy crisis in the country – through the mouth of Minister Vicente de la O Levy the first time, in March, after mass protests in Holguín due to blackouts – Cubans had been aware for months of the lack of fuel due to rationing and the kilometer-long lines at gas stations.
In order to put things in order, the government of the municipality of Guanabacoa, in Havana, had a list of customers drawn up during the fuel crisis in June 2023, which, after being abandoned for a while, was reactivated a few days before the announcement of the increase in fuel prices, scheduled for February 2024, although it finally came into effect a month later .
Customers of the Los Paraguas and Corral Falso service centers, who were on the previous list, were told to sign up for separate Telegram groups to stay up to date with information about turns to purchase gasoline or diesel. Through the messaging app, the person in charge of making the daily list of buyers and establishing strict instructions was simply called Esther.
“This is not anarchy, it is line control, avoiding hoarding, profiteering, and line-huggers”
Esther demanded names, surnames, ID card numbers, vehicle license plate and a phone number, and she mediated severely in the event of a brawl. “This is not anarchy, it is line control, avoiding hoarding, profit, line-jumpers, etc.,” she used to say. During a visit to these gas stations in Guanabacoa, this newspaper confirmed how her iron fist also worked in person and managed to find out her full name: Esther Lilian Pérez Trujillo.
Following an initial report published by 14ymedio on her work, Pérez Trujillo reacted by saying in her Telegram groups: “They are watching,” while scathingly commenting on a photo with this newspaper’s note: “In addition to indiscipline and so on, subversion.” By then, the gas station boss had launched a crusade against the “doubles” – people registered several times on her client list – and had strengthened her authority by claiming, once again, that she was a “public servant.” The official even allowed herself to criticize the new rules for fuel distribution established in February.
The example of the organization of the Guanabacoa service stations was first extended to Tángana, in El Vedado, and then to the rest of the gas stations in the municipality of Plaza de la Revolución, last November. Once again, Esther reviewed the rules: only 40 liters of fuel per vehicle, a full tank per motorcycle and 20 liters per customer, with prior authorization, for generators.
Pérez Trujillo jealously guards her social networks, but she lets one thing slip through: she is a teacher by profession, and has taught in centers in the municipality of Guanabacoa itself. Her poise and spelling skills are evident as she commands the lines for Cupet with an iron fist.
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