A new theft of dielectric oil has struck the already deteriorated Cuban electrical infrastructure, this time at the "La Vallita" substation in Camagüey, where the removal of the fluid affected the operation of the transformers and forced the mobilization of technical teams to try to restore stability to the network.
Pedro Cruz Moiset shared this Friday information from the Electric Company of Camagüey stating that the theft occurred in the early hours of Thursday.
"Early yesterday morning, a serious criminal act involving the theft of dielectric oil took place at the 'La Vallita' Substation," the statement indicated.
The company explained that this oil serves an essential function in transformers, as it helps cool and insulate their internal components. Its removal can lead to overheating, severe breakdowns, fires, and even complete destruction of the equipment.
"By siphoning this fluid, the equipment experiences extreme overheating, which leads to severe malfunctions, fires, and the complete destruction of the transformer, rendering entire circuits inoperative and causing prolonged blackouts for thousands of families," warned the entity.
The source did not specify how many households were specifically left without electricity due to the theft in La Vallita, how much oil was stolen, or the extent of the damage caused to the equipment. It also did not report whether there are any identified suspects or individuals detained in connection with the incident.
The Electric Company assured that its technical teams were working "intensively" to restore the stability of the network as quickly as possible.
Additionally, he requested the public to report unauthorized individuals, suspicious containers, or unusual activities near substations and other electrical facilities.
The case of Camagüey adds to a series of thefts of dielectric oil reported in recent days across various provinces, despite the
Just a day earlier, the theft of oil from a transformer left a molecular medicine center in Santiago de Cuba without service.
The situation forced the transfer of samples from a critically ill patient to Granma because they could not be processed at the facility.
This week, two people were arrested in Los Arabos, Matanzas, after being caught with a tank full of dielectric oil, along with a hose, gloves, and a rope that was still dripping the liquid, according to the information released.
The penal response has also become more severe. Recently, a court in Contramaestre sentenced a man to 12 years in prison for the theft of 120 liters of dielectric oil at the Bungo La Venta substation in Santiago de Cuba.
That robbery left more than 2,000 people without electricity for 48 hours. The incident was classified as sabotage of the National Electroenergy System, a designation that allows for significantly harsher penalties than those provided for ordinary theft.
Related videos:
Filed under: