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A new act of vandalism against ETECSA's telecommunications infrastructure has left hundreds of people in the Marianao municipality of Havana without phone service.
The Western Territorial Directorate of ETECSA reported through its official Facebook profile that over 200 residential landline services were affected, including those of the Medical Equipment company, in the popular councils of Cai and Los Ángeles.
This is the third similar incident in 2025 in that area. The damage caused by cable theft not only disrupts user connectivity but also delays service restoration due to the material shortages faced by the state-owned company.
"The damages inflicted affect the population doubly, as they suffer the loss of service and the delay in its restoration, due to the limited availability of resources," ETECSA acknowledged in its statement.
Theft of metals: a recurring trend
The theft of telecommunications cables is not new in Cuba. In the capital, by the end of 2024, 39 vandalistic incidents had been recorded, almost double that of 2023, according to data published by the newspaper Tribuna de La Habana. Only in the first months of 2025, seven thefts have been confirmed in the city.
Thieves primarily target the copper found in cables, a metal that is in high demand in the informal market. Municipalities such as Arroyo Naranjo, Cotorro, and Boyeros account for the majority of these crimes.
In Boyeros, the Theft of over 600 meters of cable left around 600 customers in the El Chico neighborhood without service. At that location, at least four thefts have occurred along the same cabling route since February 2023.
"It is a critical service that the population is no longer receiving, and the economic damage is significant," explained Armando Marchán Bárcena, head of the Boyeros Telephone Center.
Thefts also impact radio bases and mobile phone services
Beyond fixed-line telecommunications, mobile networks have also been targets of theft. Last week, ETECSA reported an attack on a base station in San Vicente, Santiago de Cuba, which left over 2,500 users without mobile coverage and internet access.
The criminals stole batteries, destroyed rectifiers, wiring, and other high-value equipment, causing millions in losses. The company explained that many of these components are later used in homes to power autonomous electrical systems.
The remote location of the radio bases and the lack of surveillance have facilitated these attacks, which ETECSA describes as "acts of sabotage".
An issue with no solution in sight
While authorities insist that these actions will be punished as sabotage, with sentences of up to 15 years in prison, the truth is that the frequency of thefts has been on the rise.
As of 2025, Santiago de Cuba has recorded at least 17 vandalized radio bases, many of which were recently installed. Although ETECSA has strengthened remote surveillance, criminals have developed methods to bypass the security systems.
This wave of thefts highlights not only the vulnerability of the telecommunications infrastructure but also the economic crisis that drives many individuals to commit crimes in order to obtain metals and components with value in the informal market.
Meanwhile, thousands of Cubans remain disconnected, trapped in a cycle of structural deterioration with no immediate solution in sight.
Frequently asked questions about cable theft and vandalism in ETECSA's infrastructure in Cuba
What is the impact of cable theft in Marianao?
The theft of cables in Marianao has left hundreds of people without telephone service, affecting more than 200 residential fixed telephone services. This issue not only disrupts connectivity but also delays the restoration of service due to the material shortages faced by ETECSA.
Why are thefts of telecommunications cables frequent in Cuba?
Cable thefts are common due to the high demand for copper in the informal market. The copper found in telecommunications cables is highly sought after and is often stolen by thieves to sell. This practice has increased in recent years, seriously affecting ETECSA's infrastructure.
What measures is ETECSA taking to combat vandalism?
ETECSA has attempted to strengthen the remote surveillance of its facilities and has called on the public to report suspicious activities. However, criminals have developed methods to evade these security systems, which has hindered the effective protection of the telecommunications infrastructure.
What are the consequences for users of vandalism against radio bases?
Vandalism against radio bases leaves thousands of users without mobile coverage and internet, forcing affected communities to search for signal in distant locations. This problem exacerbates the disconnection and impacts the daily lives of Cuban citizens, making communication and access to essential services more difficult.
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