Residents of the La Belén neighborhood in Camagüey have reported a bizarre theft involving an ETECSA telecommunications antenna. In a peculiar twist, one of the alleged thieves reportedly defecated on the platform where the equipment was installed.
Independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada brought this unusual case to light on Monday, following accounts from local residents.
The antenna was positioned atop the state-run store AEB "La Tuya, La Belén," Tan Estrada noted. The incident is believed to have occurred between 12:00 and 1:00 AM on Sunday. During this time, several individuals climbed onto the platform, severed the installation's cables, and rolled them up, seemingly intending to make off with them.
While on the platform, the perpetrators reportedly noticed a nearby house with goods in the yard and attempted to rob that property as well.
The theft was discovered on Sunday morning when signal problems were noticed. Subsequently, two ETECSA employees arrived on site in a company vehicle to investigate the situation.
However, the most unusual aspect of this incident was the alleged "gift" left by one of the intruders: feces on the very platform where the antenna once stood.
Despite this unusual clue, neighbors told Tan Estrada that it did not aid in identifying the culprit. They claimed that the police said several hours had passed, and they lacked a dog to conduct a search.
This situation sparked widespread mockery and criticism on social media. "Poop theft," quipped one user. "ETECSA got dumped on, haha," joked another, while a third remarked, "They won't catch him because they don't want to."
The complaint also highlights a larger issue. According to what an ETECSA employee reportedly told residents, this was the seventh antenna affected recently, with six other installations experiencing similar issues and no resources currently available for repairs.
Residents were additionally informed that these antennas have been without backup batteries for years, a deficiency that exacerbates service vulnerability during power outages.
For the La Belén community, this means further disruptions to coverage and connectivity in an area already plagued by electrical interruptions.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time a suspected thief has left such a trace after attempting to steal equipment related to Cuba's energy crisis. In July, criminals tried to steal a solar panel from a house in Guantánamo, leaving feces on the platform before fleeing. The equipment was damaged in the attempt, and the family reported that the police did not respond despite being called.
Meanwhile, thefts targeting telecommunications infrastructure have been recurring across different provinces. In June, a series of robberies and damages to ETECSA facilities left several radio bases in Santiago de Cuba out of service. Over a few days, solar panels, breakers, and power and fiber optic cables were stolen.
In Santiago de Cuba alone, the report detailed attacks on the radio bases at Micro 4, Avenida Los Pinos, and Micro 9, along with several solar panel thefts between May and June, amid the company's difficulties in replacing the stolen equipment.
Understanding the Impact of ETECSA Antenna Thefts in Cuba
What are the consequences of thefts on ETECSA infrastructure?
The thefts lead to disruptions in telecommunications services, affecting coverage and connectivity, especially during power outages.
Why is ETECSA struggling to repair the stolen or damaged equipment?
ETECSA is currently facing resource shortages, which hinder its ability to replace stolen or damaged equipment, exacerbating service issues.
How have residents reacted to the thefts and the police response?
Residents have expressed frustration and discontent, often mocking the situation on social media due to the lack of effective police action.