A court in Cuba has sentenced the individual responsible for sabotaging the Bungo 2 Substation in Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba, to 12 years in prison, as reported by the provincial station CMKC Radio Revolución.
The offender illicitly extracted 102 liters of dielectric oil from the facility, a critical substance for the cooling and insulation of electrical transformers.
The absence of this oil led to a significant malfunction, leaving hundreds of families in the town of Bungo without power for 48 continuous hours.
Impact of Oil Theft on Local Community
Bungo, located in the Contramaestre municipality, has previously suffered from similar incidents of dielectric oil theft at nearby substations, including Los Bungos and La Torcaza, according to reports from the Santiago de Cuba Electric Company.
Government's Harsh Response to Energy Sabotage
This case falls within a broader policy of severe sentencing that the Cuban regime has intensified amid a wave of thefts targeting electrical infrastructure, exacerbating the already critical energy crisis in the country.
Decree 475/2025 of the Supreme People's Court, issued in May 2025, reclassified these types of thefts as sabotage to the electro-energy system rather than common theft, with penalties ranging from 7 to 30 years in prison, and potentially reaching life imprisonment or the death penalty in cases with severe consequences.
Since then, courts have conducted what the regime describes as "exemplary trials."
Escalation of Sentences for Electrical Sabotage
Between January 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, numerous individuals prosecuted for electrical sabotage in Cuba received sentences exceeding 10 years in prison.
In May 2026, a court in Artemisa sentenced an individual to 12 years for stealing 70 liters of dielectric oil, also classified as sabotage. That same month, in Ciego de Ávila, sentences of up to 12 years were imposed for similar offenses involving the theft of oil and cables.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Sabotage Sentencing
What was the impact of the oil theft in Bungo?
The theft of dielectric oil led to a major power outage, affecting hundreds of families in Bungo for 48 hours straight.
How does the Cuban government classify these thefts?
The Cuban government classifies such thefts as sabotage to the electro-energy system, which carry severe penalties.
What are the potential penalties for electrical sabotage in Cuba?
Penalties for electrical sabotage can range from 7 to 30 years in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty in extreme cases.