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A Cuban was arrested for stealing dielectric oil from a transformer in Jagüey Grande, Matanzas province, an incident that left over 4,400 homes without electricity and affected essential services such as a hospital and a polyclinic.
According to the officialist Facebook profile Con Todos la Victoria, “in the early hours a few days ago, unknown individuals entered the 33 KV substation of the forestry nursery… forced the transformer and took a few liters of dielectric oil”, an essential component for the operation of the equipment.
The action left "4,429 homes without service, in addition to the hospital, a polyclinic, and the local hygiene center,” which the official source described as “barbaric.”
The detained individual was identified as José Antonio Dorticós Zamora, who allegedly stole several liters of the liquid from the aforementioned electrical substation located near the forest nursery, at the exit of the highway in the mentioned municipality.
The magnitude of the blackout necessitated emergency maneuvers to prevent a greater collapse of basic services.
According to official information, electrical system technicians worked around the clock to restore service, achieving a temporary solution by connecting to another circuit.
However, this alternative only allowed for a minimal and temporary supply, which was insufficient to meet the total demand of the area.
The investigations led to the suspect's home, where evidence linking him directly to the incident was found. Among this evidence were clothing and footwear contaminated with the stolen oil.
According to the official version, “the guy at home had rubber boots and clothes stained with the stolen oil; and from there to acknowledging the fact, the leap was short.”
The confession would have been crucial for progressing in the criminal proceedings.
The accused "faces Justice for such unscrupulous actions and there his fate will be determined," added the official publication.
Dielectric oil plays a critical role in electrical transformers, as it acts as a coolant and prevents overheating of the equipment.
Without this component, the transformer becomes practically unusable and exposed to faults that can lead to irreparable damage or even fires.
A crime classified as sabotage
The authorities have classified the incident as sabotage, a charge outlined in Article 125 of the Cuban Penal Code, in effect since May 2022.
This regulation establishes penalties of seven to fifteen years in prison for those who damage or interfere with infrastructures intended to ensure the supply of energy.
The legal framework imposes even harsher penalties in cases with serious consequences or when dangerous means are used.
In those scenarios, sanctions can reach up to 30 years of imprisonment, life in prison, or even the death penalty, according to recent interpretations supported by the Supreme People's Court.
Theft on the rise amid the energy crisis
The case is part of a trend that has spread across Cuba in recent weeks: the theft of dielectric oil from transformers.
In this case, it further exacerbates the already devastating electricity crisis in Matanzas, where in March 2026, residents experienced up to 47 hours and 30 minutes of consecutive power outages.
The stolen oil is resold on the black market for up to 500 Cuban pesos per liter, used as fuel for tractors or as industrial lubricant.
According to official data, 100% of those prosecuted for electrical sabotage between January 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 received sentences of more than 10 years.
The phenomenon is not limited to Matanzas: last Saturday, three men were prosecuted for sabotage in Jatibonico, Sancti Spíritus, after stealing oil from a substation; on April 19, the theft of 600 liters in Amancio, Las Tunas, left 40% of the municipality without electricity; and on April 11, a man died and another was injured in Santiago de Cuba during a similar attempt.
Last Saturday, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero called for a tough stance against the theft of dielectric oil, describing it as a crime of "high sensitivity."
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