The daring theft of 600 liters of transformer oil from two 500-kilowatt units near the Agroindustrial Sugar Company in Amancio, Las Tunas, plunged 40% of the local population into darkness since Friday afternoon, as officially reported.
This outage has adversely impacted a total of 4,947 customers, including those living in the neighborhoods of El Batey, Nueva Paz, and El 12, along with rural communities stretching from La Lomita to San Felipe, from Las Marías to Las Pulgas, and the localities of La Estrella, Yamaqueyes, and La Manzanillera, according to local broadcaster Radio Maboas.
Among the critical facilities left powerless were the Luis Aldana Palomino clinic with inpatient services, the Telecommunications Center, and the Alipio Carrillo water pumping station, exacerbating the plight of the most vulnerable residents in the area.
Radio Maboas mentioned that "one individual associated with this criminal act has been detained" as part of the ongoing investigation.
Efforts to Resolve the Power Crisis
Engineer Aramis García Pérez, head of the Amancio Electric Base Business Unit, confirmed that while some of the stolen oil was recovered, it could no longer be used due to contamination. He emphasized that authorities were seeking "alternatives to address this predicament."
On Sunday, it was announced that, following "coordination between the Electric Company, the Communist Party of Cuba, and the Provincial Government, with assistance from other provinces," a solution seemed to be underway. According to the newspaper 26's Facebook update, "the resource replacement" was expected to arrive soon, which would enable the restoration of electrical service to nearly 5,000 affected customers.
Growing Threat of Oil Theft
The theft of transformer oil is an escalating issue in Cuba, worsened by the ongoing energy crisis. This oil functions as an insulator and coolant in transformers, and its removal causes irreversible damage to the equipment, leaving communities without power for extended periods. Thieves resell the oil on the black market as lubricant or tractor fuel, fetching up to 500 Cuban pesos per liter.
The Amancio incident is not an isolated case. Recently, the theft of transformer oil at the Lora irrigation substation disrupted power at least three times for communities in the Lora and El Trompo popular councils in Jesús Menéndez, northern Las Tunas.
Similar incidents have been reported in various provinces. In September 2025, an individual died from electrocution while attempting to siphon oil from a transformer on the Siboney Highway in Santiago de Cuba.
In 2024, Ciego de Ávila recorded 32 such criminal activities with over 13,700 liters stolen across six municipalities, according to official statistics.
Legal Crackdown on Infrastructure Sabotage
As these thefts become more frequent, the regime has responded with an unprecedented legal crackdown. Recently, the Supreme People's Court's Governing Council reaffirmed its May 2025 ruling that those involved in illicit acts damaging critical national infrastructure commit the crime of sabotage.
Penalties range from seven to 15 years for basic offenses, escalating to 10 to 30 years, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty when severe consequences ensue, covering crimes like theft of photovoltaic park components, transformer oil, generator group fuel, and solar panel parts.
From January 2025 to the first quarter of 2026, all individuals tried for sabotage against the National Electric System (SEN) received sentences exceeding 10 years, the Supreme People's Court reported.
In the state television program "Hacemos Cuba," spokesperson Humberto López issued stern warnings that maximum penalties will be enforced against those damaging the country's electric infrastructure.
These incidents unfold against the backdrop of a severe national energy crisis, marked by prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, and a power system plagued with frequent structural failures.
The government blames the collapse of the SEN on the U.S. embargo and acts of sabotage. However, experts and citizens have long pointed to internal issues such as lack of investment, deterioration of thermoelectric plants, and inefficiencies in sector management.
Understanding Transformer Oil Theft in Cuba
What is the impact of transformer oil theft?
The theft of transformer oil causes irreversible damage to electrical equipment, leaving communities without power for days or weeks. It significantly disrupts daily life and essential services.
Why is transformer oil stolen in Cuba?
Thieves target transformer oil because it can be resold on the black market as a lubricant or fuel for agricultural machinery, fetching high prices due to its scarcity and utility.
How is the Cuban government addressing the issue?
The Cuban government is responding with stricter legal penalties, categorizing such thefts as acts of sabotage, which carry severe sentences ranging from long prison terms to potentially the death penalty.