Residents of Pedro Betancourt, a municipality in Matanzas province, have been without electricity for 26 days in the area between La Línea and La Campana, according to a report by the organization Alianza Democrática X La Libertad.
The cause of this prolonged blackout, as per the locals, is attributed to the theft of dieletric oil from the transformers.
Dielectric oil serves crucial functions of cooling and insulation in transformers; when it's removed, the equipment can overheat, experience short circuits, and become permanently disabled, leading to power outages lasting weeks or even months.
"Twenty-six days without electricity is not just a simple malfunction. It's 26 days of neglect, affecting families, and a failure by authorities to address the issue," the report criticizes, highlighting the complete lack of response from provincial authorities.
Widespread Issue Across Matanzas
The situation in Pedro Betancourt is not an isolated incident within the province. In Agramonte, another town in Matanzas, the transformer oil was stolen twice within two weeks from the same location, as noted by the same source.
"What is happening? Who is behind these thefts and who is protecting such an important facility?" the organization questions, also criticizing the police's actions: "If they can mobilize resources to monitor, pursue, and suppress those who protest or report such issues, why is there not the same efficiency in protecting public assets?"
Matanzas is the most affected province nationwide by this issue. According to Radio 26, it accounts for 60% of the country's dielectric oil thefts, with over 90 transformers impacted.
Economic Desperation and Government Inaction
Provincial authorities have identified Pedro Betancourt among the municipalities with the highest incidence since May 2026, alongside Jovellanos, Los Arabos, Calimete, Martí, Perico, Colón, and Jagüey Grande.
The stolen oil is resold on the black market as a diesel substitute for tractors and agricultural machinery, fetching prices between 500 and 2,500 Cuban pesos per liter, according to state sources, amidst a severe fuel shortage on the island.
On September 5th, Cuban authorities admitted to having more than 460 open criminal investigations for offenses against the National Electric System, with over 300 specifically related to dielectric oil thefts in 97 municipalities across the country.
Government's Harsh Legal Measures
The regime has responded to the issue with extreme legal measures. Under Supreme Court Ruling 475/2025, stealing dielectric oil is classified as sabotage, with penalties ranging from 7 to 30 years in prison, and in aggravated cases, life imprisonment or even the death penalty. In August, a Cuban was sentenced to 12 years for stealing 120 liters of the liquid.
Despite arrests and convictions, the thefts persist. Some Cuban communities have endured up to 105 days without power due to transformer damage that the state lacks the resources to repair, highlighting both the population's economic desperation and the regime's inability to protect basic electrical infrastructure.
"This situation reflects the neglect faced by Cubans. A government that demands control over every aspect of its citizens' lives, but when it comes to ensuring basic services and responding to crises, it is nowhere to be found," concludes the report by Alianza Democrática X La Libertad.
Understanding the Dielectric Oil Theft Crisis in Cuba
Why is dielectric oil important for transformers?
Dielectric oil is crucial for transformers as it provides cooling and insulation. Without it, transformers can overheat, short circuit, and become permanently inoperative, leading to extended power outages.
What are the penalties for stealing dielectric oil in Cuba?
Under the regime's strict legal measures, stealing dielectric oil is considered sabotage, with penalties ranging from 7 to 30 years in prison, and in severe cases, life imprisonment or the death penalty.
How is the stolen dielectric oil used?
The stolen dielectric oil is often sold on the black market as a substitute for diesel, primarily used in tractors and agricultural machinery, due to the island's severe fuel shortages.