The theft of dielectric oil from electrical transformers has seen a sharp increase in the province of Matanzas during the first quarter of 2026. This surge is exacerbating the already dire energy crisis faced by the Cuban population, as confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior and the Provincial Prosecutor's Office in statements reported by the newspaper Girón.
During the Fifth National Exercise on Crime Prevention and Control, which began on May 19, Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Domínguez Rodríguez, head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the MININT, and Iliac Castellanos Chávez, chief prosecutor of the Criminal Processes Department of the Provincial Prosecutor's Office, addressed this issue.
Areas Most Affected by Theft
The municipalities most affected by this crime include Jovellanos, Los Arabos, Calimete, Martí, Perico, Colón, Pedro Betancourt, and Jagüey Grande.
Modus Operandi of Thieves
Domínguez Rodríguez explained that the perpetrators typically exploit power outages: "They seek out remote and unprotected areas, climb the poles, puncture the transformers, and drain the oil into tanks, which they then sell on the black market."
Dielectric oil plays a crucial role in transformers by dissipating heat generated in the windings and preventing overheating. When stolen, the equipment short circuits and becomes inoperative, extending power cuts beyond scheduled outages.
Motives and Market Impact
The primary motivation is not personal use, as Domínguez Rodríguez clarified: "Most of the time, those who steal it do so not to meet a personal need but to profit."
This oil is resold as a substitute fuel for tractors and trucks at prices ranging from 600 to over 1,000 Cuban pesos per liter, amidst a widespread fuel shortage on the island.
Consequences and Legal Framework
The immediate impact is significant: in Calimete and Pedro Betancourt, theft from irrigation systems known as "fregadas" disrupted rice production; in Jovellanos, central water pumping was halted; and communities like San José de Marcos, in Jagüey Grande, and Mexico and René Fraga, in Colón, endured extended outages beyond regular blackouts.
An illustrative case occurred on April 27 in Jagüey Grande, where the arrest of José Antonio Dorticós Zamora for stealing oil from a 33 kV substation left 4,429 homes, a hospital, a polyclinic, and the municipal hygiene center without power.
Authorities have ramped up operations in the second quarter: "In the municipalities of Calimete, Martí, Los Arabos, Perico, and Jovellanos, we currently have around 40 individuals being prosecuted, with over 10 criminal networks involving approximately 33 complaints under investigation," stated the lieutenant colonel.
Prosecutor Castellanos Chávez explained the legal repercussions: "These crimes are categorized as sabotage and theft with force. The economic value might be minimal, but the societal impact is substantial, as is the economic impact."
The legal basis is the Supreme People's Court Ruling 475/2025, issued in May 2025, which classifies acts damaging the National Electroenergetic System as sabotage, with penalties ranging from seven to 15 years of imprisonment, up to life imprisonment or the death penalty in aggravated cases.
Wider Implications Across Cuba
This problem is not confined to Matanzas: in Ciego de Ávila, 41 similar incidents were recorded in 2025, affecting 84 transformers. Las Tunas has reported 11 transformer thefts recently, all while Cuba faces an electricity deficit of 1,840 MW during peak nighttime hours.
Key Questions About Transformer Oil Theft in Cuba
What is the impact of transformer oil theft on Cuban communities?
Transformer oil theft leads to equipment failure, causing extended power outages and affecting essential services like water pumping and agricultural production.
How do thieves carry out transformer oil theft?
Thieves exploit power outages, targeting remote and unprotected areas, puncturing transformers to drain oil into tanks for resale on the black market.
What are the legal consequences for those caught stealing transformer oil in Cuba?
Individuals caught can face charges of sabotage and theft with force, with penalties ranging from seven to 15 years of imprisonment, and in severe cases, life imprisonment or the death penalty.