The telecommunications infrastructure in Las Tunas has been subject to 19 vandalism incidents throughout 2024, as reported by Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A. (ETECSA), the sole telecommunications provider under the Communist Party's influence in Cuba. This number marks an improvement over 2023, during which 42 incidents were reported. Despite this, last year saw even the perimeter fences of ETECSA's facilities in the province being stolen, according to the state-run Periódico26.
Among the primary damages cited by the state-owned enterprise is the theft of cables, which has resulted in the suspension of 35 telephone services and the disabling of six public phones. These crimes occur amid an economic crisis that heavily impacts the Cuban population. A March 2023 report from DatoWorld identified Cuba as the poorest country in Latin America, with inflation reaching an annual rate of 27.7% at the start of 2024, according to economist Pedro Monreal.
Food scarcity is another significant issue facing the population. A 2024 study by the Food Monitor Program revealed that 96.27% of surveyed Cuban households reported severe difficulties in obtaining food, and 96.61% deemed the ration book insufficient to meet basic needs. Amid this severe vulnerability, thefts from ETECSA continue, despite the company's agreements with entities and organizations aligned with Díaz-Canel's regime to bolster security for its facilities and equipment. Nonetheless, the losses persist, impacting both the company and citizens who experience disrupted communication services.
Cable theft is not limited to Las Tunas. In Holguín, two men were apprehended for stealing cables from electrical installations to power illegal cockfighting arenas in Flores, Guayacanes, and Cañadón in the Banes municipality. ETECSA has also reported thefts in Havana, particularly in the Arroyo Naranjo and Boyeros areas. On July 15, 2024, the company, which holds a monopoly over communications in Cuba, acknowledged a worrisome rise in vandalism against fixed telephone infrastructure, causing "prolonged interruptions of essential services and significant economic damage."
The thieves primarily target cables for copper extraction, which fetches high prices on the black market. In the last quarter of 2023, ETECSA authorities documented 24 acts of vandalism against telecommunications networks in the capital, with 25 similar incidents reported in the first half of 2024.
This is not a fleeting trend. In September 2023, a young Cuban was arrested by police for allegedly stealing over a thousand meters of telephone cable in Santa Clara, with intentions to sell the cable at 10 CUP per meter, according to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior.
Understanding the Challenges Facing ETECSA in Cuba
What are the primary targets in the thefts against ETECSA?
The main targets in the thefts against ETECSA are cables, particularly for their copper content, which is valuable on the black market.
How has the economic crisis in Cuba affected ETECSA's operations?
The economic crisis has led to increased vandalism and theft as individuals seek valuable materials like copper. This has disrupted ETECSA's operations, causing service interruptions and financial losses.
What measures has ETECSA taken to counteract these thefts?
ETECSA has entered agreements with entities aligned with the government to enhance the security of their facilities, aiming to prevent further theft and vandalism.