Amidst the Cuban regime's proclaimed crackdown on corruption and illegal activities, authorities have apprehended a resident from the Las Américas neighborhood in Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba. The individual was involved in selling stolen dielectric oil from electrical transformers.
The official denunciation emerged last Friday via the regime-affiliated Facebook page "Héroes del Moncada." The post highlighted that the individual in question offered the oil to motorbike and car drivers, who utilized it as a lubricant. The regime's account described this act as not only a serious crime but one that directly impacts the already fragile electrical service due to Cuba's ongoing energy crisis.
"Once the police intervened, their business was over," stated the post, stressing that those responsible could face sabotage charges and several years in prison for the damage caused. The regime has launched a campaign to showcase its purported fight against illegalities during times of heightened social tension, using such arrests as evidence of their actions.
Nonetheless, these measures also aim to bolster state control over strategic resources like the electrical system, whose deterioration has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among the population. The official publication defended the police action, asserting that "the theft of State resources is unforgivable, especially when it affects such a vital service as electricity."
Despite the rhetoric, ongoing failures in the electrical system continue to be a source of concern and criticism on the island. Recently, the theft of 300 liters of dielectric oil resulted in a power outage in the Dos Caminos community, located in the San Luis municipality of Santiago de Cuba.
Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the PCC in Santiago de Cuba, conveyed through Facebook that the incident occurred when the area's transformer suffered significant damage due to the theft of this crucial component. In November, the official newspaper Sierra Maestra reported that the regime would take severe action against the theft of dielectric oil, which exacerbates blackouts and affects thousands of citizens living in harsh conditions.
Impact of Dielectric Oil Theft on Cuban Electricity
Why is dielectric oil theft considered a severe crime in Cuba?
Dielectric oil theft is deemed a severe crime because it directly affects the electrical grid's functionality, which is already under strain due to the country's energy crisis. This theft not only disrupts service but also intensifies public discontent.
What are the consequences for those caught stealing dielectric oil in Cuba?
Individuals caught stealing dielectric oil may face charges of sabotage and could be sentenced to several years in prison due to the significant impact their actions have on the country's electrical infrastructure.