The theft of dielectric oil from electrical transformers has become yet another symptom of the crisis facing Cuba, revealing the precariousness of the energy system and the regime's inability to protect vital infrastructure.
The state newspaper Sierra Maestra reported that the theft of dielectric oil, which exacerbates blackouts and affects thousands of citizens in extreme conditions, will be met with a firm response from the regime.
In Santiago de Cuba, from August to November, the municipalities of Contramaestre, Palma Soriano, and San Luis have reported numerous cases, with the most alarming being the theft of 300 liters of dielectric oil at the Paquito Rosales Substation.
This criminal act left thousands of people in the popular councils of Dos Caminos, Paquito Rosales, and Estrella Roja without electricity, exacerbating the suffering of the most vulnerable communities.
The Provincial Prosecutor's Office, through Elizabeth Govea Maceo, specified that these crimes could be classified as sabotage, with sentences of up to 30 years in prison.
"The behaviors exhibited by these individuals, considering the methods and means used to steal the oil from the transformers, could constitute offenses of Theft or Burglary, depending on how the theft occurs. In the case of those who buy or sell this oil, it could involve the crime of Receiving Stolen Property," he stated.
However, these sanctions do not address the underlying issue: a collapsed energy system, sustained by temporary fixes and lacking a genuine plan to ensure the country's electrical stability.
While the authorities promise severe penalties, the population continues to suffer the consequences: In communities like Dos Caminos, residents have had to improvise cooking methods, facing food loss due to lack of refrigeration.
In parallel, smaller capacity transformers and temporary power plants were installed, which barely ensure an intermittent supply.
Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the Party in Santiago de Cuba, pledged on Facebook that there will be no impunity for those responsible. However, her statement comes in a context where thefts from public facilities have become frequent, highlighting failures in security and state control.
"The MININT authorities are working to clarify these events and present those allegedly responsible before the courts,” remarked the communist leader.
The current energy crisis facing Cuba has put the regime on the ropes, prompting it to adopt extraordinary measures.
On Tuesday, the Cuban government established a "special electrical contingency regime" that includes planned outages lasting over 72 hours in the event that the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) fails to meet the country's electricity demand.
With the publication on Tuesday in the Official Gazette of Decree 110, the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel formalizes a kind of "state of exception" that, similar to the usual "states of alarm, exception, and siege" found in the constitutions of many countries, grants exceptional powers to the authorities to address extraordinary and serious situations.
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