Theft Threats to Electrical Systems in Matanzas Highlighted by Provincial Defense Council

This past Friday, the Provincial Defense Council of Matanzas convened to review territorial defense strategies and address the rising incidents of crimes against the National Electric System (SEN), as reported by Periódico Girón on their Facebook page.

During the session, which included officials from the Electric Company and related entities, the theft of metal angles, dielectric oil, electrical conductors, and solar panels was pinpointed at various locations throughout the province.

The municipalities most affected by these thefts include Cárdenas, Jovellanos, Jagüey Grande, and Colón, as noted during the meeting.

Sources from the Ministry of the Interior have confirmed the identification of several criminal networks connected to these activities, with numerous individuals currently undergoing judicial processes.

Coordinated Response to Protect Resources

The Matanzas Defense Council emphasized the urgency of identifying and eliminating existing vulnerabilities, enhancing surveillance around electric substations, and compelling entities to safeguard their resources. This represents a concerted institutional response involving the Ministry of the Interior, the Electric Company, and territorial defense organizations.

Severe Impact on Community Infrastructure

The repercussions of these thefts extend beyond material damage. According to Periódico Girón, they cause significant economic, material, and social disruptions, destabilizing the electricity supply to entire communities amid an already challenging context.

Matanzas stands as the province most afflicted by these criminal acts. By the end of August, there were 175 incidents of dielectric oil theft reported in the province—compared to 136 throughout all of 2025—out of a national total of 479 cases.

During this period, over 55,950 liters of dielectric oil were stolen, 91 transformers were damaged, and 43 out of the 98 substations in the province were affected, with 12 still out of service.

Critical Consequences for Residents

The consequences for the local population are dire. For example, a theft in Jagüey Grande left 4,429 homes and healthcare facilities without electricity. In another instance, a community in San José de Marcos endured over 30 days without power following the theft of approximately 1,000 liters of oil.

In Cárdenas, the electrical system suffered two significant hits in just eight days in August, with circuit 4427 completely disabled after the total theft of oil from a transformer on Calvo Avenue.

Higher-Level Concerns and Legal Actions

The issue has escalated to the highest levels of the regime. Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy acknowledged before the National Assembly that dielectric oil theft occurs "daily" and that the volume stolen is "almost equivalent" to what Cuba produces in the same timeframe, with some communities experiencing up to 105 days without electricity.

The General Prosecutor's Office reported over 460 criminal investigations between 2025 and the first half of 2026 related to crimes against the SEN, with more than 300 involving dielectric oil theft, detected in 97 municipalities nationwide.

Despite stricter legal measures—Decree 475 of the Supreme People's Court, effective since May 2025, allows these thefts to be classified as sabotage, carrying penalties of up to 30 years, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty in aggravated cases—these crimes persist.

In Pinar del Río, a man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stealing bolts and accessories from a solar park under this regulation.