In Cárdenas, two individuals were detained after stealing over 1,100 meters of electrical cable from a state-owned company and attempting to extract copper by incinerating it in a nearby backyard. The incident took place at the “José Valdez Reyes” Industrial Railway Company, where the alleged perpetrators, identified as José Antonio Zamora González and Emilio Vinageras Sardina, managed to abscond with a total of 1,158 meters of cable, as per a report from the pro-regime Facebook page “Con Todos La Victoria.”
In a sarcastic tone, the page highlighted the blunder, calling it a botched recycling effort. "What began as a 'recycling' attempt ended with the plant shut down and them, predictably, behind bars," the post remarked. The suspects reportedly aimed to retrieve the copper from the stolen cables by burning them in a backyard—a crude yet common tactic for those trying to sell the metal on the black market.
Despite their efforts, the plan was quickly uncovered, and authorities swiftly intervened, according to the regime-aligned profile. The escalating economic crisis in Cuba has led to a surge in thefts of electrical, telecommunication, and railway materials, driven by the high demand for copper and other metals in the illegal trade.
In 2024, a separate incident involved the theft of 300 liters of dielectric oil, which resulted in a power outage in the community of Dos Caminos, located in the municipality of San Luis, Santiago de Cuba. This incident adversely affected both the residents and the local economy. Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the PCC in Santiago de Cuba, announced on Facebook that the power transformer's severe malfunction was attributed to the theft of this crucial component.
Additionally, the province of Ciego de Ávila faced a challenging energy scenario in 2024, exacerbated by a shortage of transformers and the loss of more than 13,700 liters of dielectric oil due to criminal activities reported across various municipalities. The theft of dielectric oil, which is essential for insulation and cooling in transformers, has significantly impaired the province’s capacity to manage the increase in power outages. This situation was already strained by the country's fuel shortages and persistent failures at thermoelectric plants.
Theft and Economic Challenges in Cuba
Why is there an increase in cable theft in Cuba?
The rise in cable theft in Cuba is largely due to the economic crisis, which has heightened the demand for copper and other metals in the black market.
What impact has the theft of dielectric oil had on Cuban communities?
The theft of dielectric oil has led to power outages in affected areas, disrupting both local economies and daily life by impairing essential services and infrastructure.
How are authorities responding to these thefts?
Authorities are attempting to quickly address and counteract these thefts by apprehending suspects and increasing surveillance, although challenges remain due to the widespread nature of these activities.