Related videos:
Unidentified individuals stole the solar panels installed on the roof of the Hogar Materno de Cárdenas during the early hours of Wednesday, according to a report on Facebook by user Christian Arbolaez, who shared images showing the empty metal structures—supports and frames—that remained after the theft.
The institution accommodates pregnant women who require medical care and specialized follow-up, many of whom have high-risk pregnancies, which poses a direct threat to their care in a country that suffers from power outages of up to 22 hours a day.
At the time of the report, the police had not yet arrived at the scene to initiate investigations, which heightened the outrage among citizens who followed the post on social media.
The comments reflected a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Cárdenas out of control," wrote one user. Another noted, "The saddest part is that they aren't capturing anyone." A third was more direct: "No one is going to stop this."
Several comments questioned where the facility's guardians were during the theft. One citizen proposed a concrete solution: "Cárdenas should request indefinite reinforcement from the National Police, sending more officers and patrols with fuel and a firm hand with the criminals."
Another user summarized the state of the city with a comparison: "Cárdenas is like El Salvador without Bukele."
The robbery is part of a criminal wave that has been affecting Cárdenas since early 2026 and includes homicides, armed robberies, and daylight thefts.
In February, a blind retiree died after being assaulted in a bank queue; in April, three armed young men robbed a private ice cream factory; and in May, a man was stabbed to death inside his home.
The theft of solar panels in critical facilities has become a widespread criminal pattern across Cuba. On July 5, four panels were stolen from a potable water distribution point in Holguín, affecting the supply for thousands of people.
In May, four individuals beat and tied up the guard of a pumping station in Guantánamo to steal 32 panels.
The regime classified these thefts as sabotage, imposing prison sentences ranging from seven to 30 years under Decree 475 of May 2025, but the incidents have not ceased.
The health context exacerbates the seriousness of the situation: the maternal and child health crisis in Cuba is under international scrutiny, with the healthcare system described as on the brink of collapse and an increasing maternal mortality rate.
In May, the UN launched an emergency humanitarian appeal for 94 million dollars for Cuba, identifying pregnant women as one of the most vulnerable groups.
"What else has to happen for effective measures to be taken regarding the situation in Cárdenas?" Arbolaez asked at the end of his post, a question that, judging by the comments, thousands of residents of Cárdenas are asking themselves without finding an answer.
Filed under: