Illegal Connections on the Rise Amid Power Crisis: Three Arrested in Old Havana

The ongoing power outages in Cuba, which leave thousands without electricity for extended periods, have led to the arrest of three individuals in Old Havana. They were caught making illegal connections to the power grid, a risky endeavor that highlights the desperate measures some are taking in response to the energy crisis.

The police intervention took place on Friday night at the intersection of Aponte and Corrales, according to a report shared on the pro-government Facebook page Guayacandecuba.

During the operation, law enforcement confiscated two ladders, work tools, and several meters of electrical cable, as reported by the source.

This arrest occurs amidst an energy crisis that has subjected the country to prolonged power cuts and frequent total or partial blackouts of the National Electric System (SEN).

Impact of Power Outages in Havana

In Havana, for instance, during the early hours of Thursday, 97 circuits were out of service, leading to a 258 MW power deficit. In some areas, blackouts exceed eight hours daily, prompting residents to seek alternative ways to access electricity.

The detentions sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some users directly linked illegal connections to the ongoing electricity shortages. "This is a result of the electricity shortage," one person commented.

Another questioned the government's response to a crisis affecting the population. "The government puts you in a bind, forces you to be creative, then punishes you for it. How nice!" wrote another user.

Debate Over Solutions and Consequences

For some, the solution lies not in arrests but rather in restoring the power supply. "The answer isn't arresting them; it's getting the electricity back on," summarized one commenter.

Others called for penalties for those detained and warned of the dangers of tampering with the electrical grid without proper precautions. "Nobody knows what's legal anymore; people are running wires from building to building to find electricity. We are survivors," noted another individual.

The post sharing the police operation warned that these illegal connections not only involve unauthorized electricity use but also pose serious risks of fatal accidents. Tampering with electrical cables and networks without safety measures endangers both those making the connections and others nearby.

Ongoing Crisis and Government Response

While authorities crack down on these practices, the energy crisis continues to shape daily life for Cubans. The reactions to the arrests illustrate the tension between legal compliance, the dangers of illegal connections, and the frustration of those enduring long-lasting blackouts.

In June, an operation in Guantánamo uncovered several homes in the city’s central and southern areas illegally connected to the prioritized circuits of the electricity system. Furthermore, in various neighborhoods of Santiago de Cuba, fraudulent electricity networks were dismantled, allegedly causing irreversible damage to transformers.

In July, residents of Calabazar, in the Boyeros district of Havana, caught employees from the Electric Union illegally selling power access to the neighborhood in exchange for money.

This past Friday, an attempt to steal dielectric oil from the Cubana de Bronce substation in Guanabacoa was also thwarted.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported 479 criminal acts against the National Electroenergetic System as of August, with over 460 criminal investigations launched between 2025 and the first half of the year.

The authorities have responded harshly, noting that 100% of those tried for sabotage against the SEN between January 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 received sentences of more than 10 years.