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The manipulation of electricity meters and the associated frauds have increased uncontrollably in the province of Sancti Spíritus, where authorities have detected almost 800 cases so far this year, most of them related to tampering with measurement equipment.
According to the state-run newspaper Granma, these frauds represent significant losses for the Electric Company both economically and operationally, as they impact service quality and distort consumption metrics.
The irregularities detected range from violations of factory seals on the meters to more sophisticated manipulations, aimed at artificially lowering the recorded energy consumption.
"There are very technological frauds, but our electricity meters are sealed from the laboratory with a unique number. Whenever a broken seal is detected, the established penalties are applied and the equipment is removed for reevaluation," explained Darío Peña Cuenca, the commercial director of the electric company, who added that specialized tests are conducted on these devices whenever there is suspicion of tampering.
The regime intends to tackle the issue with increased technical inspections in homes, private businesses, and state entities.
In addition, vulnerable equipment has been replaced with new generation meter readers, and retroactive billing for stolen energy has been implemented for offenders, which is one of the main penalties enforced.
The company has also incorporated the use of mobile applications capable of detecting altered magnetic fields in the meters, a technological tool that allows for the discovery of tampering without the need to open the devices.
According to the authorities, this innovation has become a key element in combating the growing types of fraud that aim to evade payment for actual consumption.
The sustained increase in these crimes reflects the deterioration of energy discipline in the region and the impact of the economic crisis, which has led some users to resort to illegal methods to lower their electricity bills.
Meanwhile, the company warns that it will continue to reinforce control mechanisms and apply stricter penalties in order to curb a phenomenon that continues to impact the efficiency of the national electrical system.
Electric fraud in Cuba is not a recent phenomenon, but rather a recurring issue that has persisted without resolution over the years.
In 2022, the province of Granma recorded more than 800 cases of electricity theft, reflecting the extent of the crime in the country.
In 2023, the situation did not improve. In Guantánamo, around 260 frauds were detected, while in Ciego de Ávila, authorities imposed fines totaling seven million pesos, yet these penalties did not succeed in curbing the irregularities.
Even in 2024, the government itself acknowledged being , where the manipulation of electricity meters and energy theft continued to rise despite the supposed controls and technological changes in the electrical system.
The trend continued in 2025, when in the capital, officials and clients involved in fraud networks were convicted, an example that shows it is not only private users who engage in these practices, but also state employees who should be preventing them.
Frequently asked questions about electrical fraud in Sancti Spíritus and the energy crisis in Cuba
How is electrical fraud manifesting in Sancti Spíritus?
The electrical fraud in Sancti Spíritus primarily manifests through the manipulation of meters and alterations to measuring equipment to artificially reduce the recorded consumption. So far this year, nearly 800 cases have been detected, which represents significant losses for the Electric Company.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to combat electricity fraud?
To combat electrical fraud, the Cuban government is implementing more frequent technical inspections in homes, private businesses, and state entities. Vulnerable equipment is also being replaced with next-generation meters, and retroactive charges for stolen energy have been enforced on offenders. Furthermore, mobile applications are being used to detect tampering with meters without the need to open them.
What is the impact of power outages in Sancti Spíritus?
In Sancti Spíritus, power outages are frequent and can last up to 20 hours a day, impacting the quality of life for residents. The lack of generation and fuel, combined with the fragility of the electrical system, prevents the implementation of predictable rotation schemes, exacerbating the situation. The energy crisis not only limits access to electricity but also affects other basic services such as water supply.
What is the relationship between the economic crisis in Cuba and the rise in electricity fraud?
The economic crisis in Cuba has driven many users to resort to illegal methods to reduce their electricity bills, increasing electrical fraud. The precarious economic situation encourages some to tamper with the meters to lower costs, reflecting a deterioration of energy discipline in the territory.
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