The Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Artemisa has opened a preparatory phase file for the alleged crime of sabotage against two individuals who stole dielectric oil from an electrical transformer located in the municipality of Bauta, leaving local residents and state entities in the area without electricity.
The case, reported this Thursday by the weekly El Artemiseño and Agencia Cubana de Noticias, is being handled by the Unit for Crimes against State Security of Artemisa. Both accused individuals have been placed in provisional detention as a precautionary measure.
One of the accused is a worker in the electrical sector in Havana who allegedly took advantage of the vehicle assigned to his job functions to commit the theft.
The affected transformer supplied power to both residential homes and state entities involved in milk collection.
When the electrical supply was restored, the equipment went out of service because, as specified by the Public Prosecutor's Office, "the levels of dielectric oil were insufficient to ensure the necessary cooling and insulation for its operation."
As a result, residents of the community and various economic entities were temporarily left without electric service.
The Prosecutor's Office announced that, on behalf of the Cuban state, it will request "severe criminal penalties, corresponding to the harmfulness of the investigated behaviors and the damage caused to the National Electric System."
The current Penal Code establishes prison sentences of between seven and 15 years of deprivation of liberty for the crime of sabotage.
According to the Prosecutor's Office, in aggravated cases—when there are serious economic harm, severe injuries, or loss of life—the penalties can range from 10 to 30 years in prison, life imprisonment, and even the death penalty, in accordance with articles 125 and 126 of that regulation.
This case takes place against a backdrop of increasing theft of transformer dielectric oil.
Until August 2026, the Ministry of Energy and Mines reported 479 cases nationwide, with over 460 criminal investigations opened between 2025 and the first half of this year.
Matanzas tops the list of affected provinces with 175 thefts and over 55,950 liters of oil lost. A town in that province was left without electricity for 26 days following one of these thefts.
The stolen oil is resold on the black market to be mixed with diesel and used as fuel in tractors, trucks, and agricultural machinery, amid a severe fuel shortage affecting the island.
Related videos:
Filed under: