Thieves broke into the potable water distribution point adjacent to the 18-story buildings in the city of Holguín early Sunday morning and stole four solar panels from the photovoltaic system that powers the water pumps relied upon by thousands of people.
The incident was reported publicly by the page Holguín en fotos through a video on Facebook, which in just a few hours surpassed 38,000 views and generated more than 300 comments from outraged citizens.
The content creator managing the digital page explained that the police were on the scene collecting evidence at the time of the report.
He also warned that this is not the first water point with a photovoltaic system in the city to suffer such a robbery, indicating an increasing pattern of criminal activity.
"These elements currently on the market are extremely expensive, approaching 300 dollars," pointed out the reporter, which makes each panel a high-value item in the Cuban informal market.
The citizens' reaction in the comments on the video reflects accumulated frustration. "Until there are harsh sentences and exemplary trials, the same things will continue to happen," wrote a user.
Another pointed out: "When they implement strict measures, and the police focus on their work, we might achieve something, but in the meantime, crime will continue to rise."
Some neighbors pointed out that the location had already been the victim of a previous robbery, suggesting a pattern of repeat offenses against the same facility. "And aren't there any guards there? For God's sake," asked another commentator, which summarizes the collective outrage over the lack of surveillance at a critical infrastructure for access to drinking water.
The Holguín in photos page responded to one of the comments with a strong stance. "If this place can no longer provide its service and thousands of people lose access to drinking water, I agree that it should be labeled as terrorism," it emphasized.
The theft worsens an already critical water situation. More than 370,000 people in Holguín, nearly 40% of the provincial population, lack a regular supply of drinking water, in a province where power outages can last more than 50 continuous hours.
The photovoltaic systems installed in pumping stations are precisely the solution that the State has implemented to ensure supply during power outages, making them desirable targets.
This incident adds to a wave of thefts that shows no signs of stopping. On May 13, four individuals attacked and tied up the custodian of the Oscar Lucero pumping station in the same city to steal 32 solar panels.
On June 28, four stolen solar panels in Sagua de Tánamo left four popular councils of the Plan Turquino without television signal. And between May and June, at least three thefts of Etecsa's infrastructure panels were reported in Santiago de Cuba.
Despite the Ruling 475 of the Popular Supreme Court, which since May 2025 classifies these acts as sabotage with penalties of up to life imprisonment or death, thefts continue unabated, particularly in facilities without permanent surveillance.
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