In the Havana neighborhood of Guanabacoa, three determined women stayed awake until 3:30 AM, determined to stop workers from the Electric Company from taking away the transformer from their block. Earlier in the day, another group of workers had attempted to remove it without presenting, as the women claimed, a valid order authorizing the operation.
This story was shared by the user @yara_lapoderosa through two videos on Instagram, which have since gone viral, attracting thousands of reactions.
Daylight Confrontation
In the first video, recorded during the daytime, the woman confronted the workers, questioning why they left as soon as she began recording them. "If you arrive on my block with an order that authorizes you to take the transformer, why did you pack up and leave when I started filming? What were you afraid of?" she challenged.
During the confrontation, one worker urged his colleague to leave, saying, "Don't argue, just get in and let's go." The truck eventually departed without taking the equipment.
Night Watch with Coffee
Fearing a nighttime return, the woman, her husband, and two other neighbors organized a vigil to guard the transformer. A neighbor joined them until after midnight, but the three women continued their watch over the street, bolstered by cups of coffee.
At 3:30 AM, their fears were realized. "Just when we thought nothing would happen, there it was—the truck appeared at three-thirty in the morning," she recounted in a second video.
According to her, the workers claimed they were responding to a "report" of a supposed transformer fault. However, the women confronted them again, and the workers eventually admitted that there was no issue with the equipment. The vehicle left without removing the transformer.
Community Apathy and Call to Action
Despite the tense night, the woman expressed disappointment that few neighbors joined their effort. "It was disheartening to see that despite our explanations, no neighbors joined us. This is everyone's concern," she lamented.
She tagged the Union Eléctrica (UNE), the People's Power, and the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in her post, urging them to investigate the incident. "Those in charge of supervising these trucks and transformers in Guanabacoa need to pay attention to their workers, who seem to be acting without oversight. If there was no wrongdoing, why did they leave?" she questioned.
Wider Context of Transformer Disputes
This incident is not an isolated case. On August 7, residents of Marianao thwarted a similar attempt by demanding to see a work order that the workers couldn't provide. In July, residents of La Gallega, another area in Guanabacoa, stopped the removal of transformers meant for another circuit. In June, similar practices were reported by residents in various neighborhoods of Santiago de Cuba.
These episodes underscore a broader structural crisis acknowledged by the regime itself. In June, UNE admitted there is no physical availability of spare transformers in any province, with approximately 25 transformers damaged daily in Havana alone.
FAQs on Transformer Incidents in Cuba
What prompted the women in Guanabacoa to stand guard overnight?
They feared workers from the Electric Company would return at night to remove the transformer without proper authorization, as had happened in nearby areas.
Why is there a crisis involving transformers in Cuba?
The crisis stems from a lack of available spare transformers across the country, with significant daily damage occurring, especially in Havana.
How have other communities in Cuba responded to similar situations?
Communities in Marianao and La Gallega have successfully prevented unauthorized transformer removals by demanding proper documentation from workers.