Authorities in Holguín have apprehended two men for stealing electrical wires, which they intended to use for powering illegal cockfighting rings. Identified through a Facebook post by the user Cazador-Cazado, the suspects are Yasdiel Arcaya Vidal and Reinel Ramírez Ricardo.
The pair reportedly took over 500 meters of neutral cable from the Antilla - Cortadera stretch. Their plan was to electrify cockfighting arenas located in the areas of Flores, Guayacanes, and Cañadón, within the Banes municipality.
Crackdown on Electrical System Crimes
This week, regime spokesperson Humberto López issued a stern warning on his show "Hacemos Cuba," stating that crimes against the national electro-energy system could be classified as sabotage. Perpetrators could face "severe penal policies."
Common infractions include the theft of operational equipment, such as angular pieces sold on the black market for constructing garages, farms, and fences. The theft of valuable fuel from power plants often involves collusion with workers from the Electric Union.
Threat to the Energy Infrastructure
The Ministry of the Interior views these thefts as a "significant threat" to the electro-energy system, emphasizing that investigations must be conducted with "determination and rigor."
Those who steal oil from transformers face charges of robbery with force, embezzlement, and sabotage. If a transformer is damaged, it becomes a crime affecting state security, as it disrupts electricity to homes. Such actions can leave 4,000 residents without power, highlighting the serious consequences of these crimes.
Impact and Consequences of Energy Theft in Cuba
What was the purpose of stealing the electrical wires?
The stolen wires were intended to electrify illegal cockfighting arenas in Banes municipality.
What are the potential charges for crimes against Cuba's electrical system?
Crimes against the electrical system can be considered sabotage, leading to severe penalties, including charges of robbery, embezzlement, and potentially affecting state security.
How does the Ministry of the Interior view these thefts?
The Ministry considers these thefts as a significant threat to the country's energy infrastructure, necessitating thorough and determined investigations.