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The reactivation of the Oscar Lucero pumping station in the city of Holguín, after more than 60 days of inactivity due to the theft of 180 meters of cable, has once again highlighted the growing problem of vandalism against state infrastructure in Cuba.
According to the report from the provincial station Radio Angulo, the theft of cable left the pumping system powered by solar photovoltaic panels paralyzed for over two months, which is responsible for ensuring the water supply to part of the population.
This forced the Holguín Aqueduct and Sewerage Company to mobilize resources and coordinate actions with the community to restore the service, the media reported.
Local authorities describe these incidents as acts of "social indiscipline" that directly impact basic services such as water, electricity, and telecommunications. However, this phenomenon is not limited to an isolated case.
Other state agencies, such as the Electric Company and the sole state Telecommunications Company of Cuba (Etecsa), also report an increase in similar incidents in the province.
Only in 2025, the Territorial Division of Etecsa in Holguín reported 27 acts of vandalism against its infrastructure, with losses exceeding 529,000 Cuban pesos, the source specified.
The problem extends to various strategic sectors. Recently, the alleged perpetrators of the theft of transformer oil in the municipality of Moa were arrested, an incident that highlighted how these crimes directly affect an already strained electrical system, he added
The official discourse attributes the deterioration of these infrastructures to vandalism and the economic limitations of the country, which the Cuban government links to the U.S. embargo.
However, the recurring damages also reflect the weakening of the mechanisms for monitoring and protecting key facilities.
In December 2025, a man was caught in broad daylight and without any pretense, as he was tearing down a section of the metal fence that marks the street stop at Aricochea, in the major general Julio Grave de Peralta park, better known as the Flower Park, across from the telecenter Telecristal.
Similar situations have been reported in other provinces. In reports on state television, thefts of grates in public spaces and educational centers have been showcased, as well as damage to electrical installations that exacerbate blackouts and impact essential services.
The testimonies of neighbors gathered in those reports reveal a widespread perception of impunity, with repeated complaints and no visible responses from the authorities, and incidents that occur even in broad daylight.
In a country where much of the infrastructure has already faced years of deterioration and a shortage of resources, each theft or act of vandalism has a direct impact on the daily lives of citizens, affecting everything from access to water to connectivity and electricity supply.
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