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Three men were arrested in the city of Cárdenas, Matanzas, after being caught in the act while stealing fuel from the diesel generator of the Julio Manuel Aristegui Villamil General Teaching Hospital, according to official sources.
A note shared on the Facebook profile “With Everyone, Victory”, connected to the Ministry of the Interior (Minint), specified that the individuals were found “with tanks in hand and a hose,” attempting to extract fuel.
The detainees are named Amado Marquetty Couret, Manuel de Jesús Céspedes Cabrera, and Ernesto Vladimir Sotolongo Martínez. According to the report, the latter has a criminal record that includes theft and assault.
The three defendants remain in custody and will have to answer to justice for this crime, the information stated.
For months, the Cuban regime has intensified its police and judicial offensive against crime, corruption, illegal activities, and social indiscipline, in a campaign aimed at curbing the rise of such incidents, which have escalated as the country's economic, political, and social crisis worsens.
Through continuous national mega-operations focused on "prevention and confrontation" of criminal activities and indiscipline in communities, the authorities aim to impose strict social control with severe and exemplary measures.
At the beginning of this month, the conviction of a Minint operator in Ciego de Ávila to seven years in prison for the crime of sabotage was announced, after pouring water into the fuel tank of the generator set that powers the communications center of the provincial delegation of that organization.
The People's Municipal Court of Diez de Octubre, in Havana, judged in March two operators of the Ñico López Refinery accused of acts of corruption and administrative negligence, which caused a spill of 280,000 liters of gasoline. The individuals involved faced serious charges after irregularities were detected in the fuel delivery, a critical resource amid the ongoing national energy crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fuel Theft and the Crisis in Cuba
What happened at the Cárdenas hospital regarding the fuel theft?
Three men were arrested while stealing fuel from the generator of the Julio Manuel Aristegui Villamil General Teaching Hospital in Cárdenas, Matanzas. They were caught in the act by the authorities, who found them with tanks and a hose attempting to siphon the fuel.
How is the Cuban government responding to the increase in fuel-related crimes?
The Cuban government has intensified its police and judicial offensive to curb the rise of crimes, corruption, and illegal activities, in an attempt to impose strict social control. Large-scale operations are being carried out focusing on the prevention and confrontation of criminal activities, with harsh and exemplary punishments for offenders.
What other similar recent cases have occurred in Cuba?
In addition to the robbery at the hospital in Cárdenas, there was a case in Ciego de Ávila where an operator from MININT was sentenced to seven years in prison for sabotage after pouring water into the fuel tank of a generator set. These cases reflect the severity with which the Cuban regime responds to crimes that affect state infrastructure, especially in a context of energy crisis and frequent blackouts.
Why is fuel-related crime increasing in Cuba?
The rise in these crimes is linked to the serious economic, political, and social crisis that Cuba is facing, where the scarcity of basic resources such as fuel has driven the population to seek illegal ways to obtain it. The lack of efficient management and corruption within the state system have also contributed to this increase in criminal activity.
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