The journalist José Luis Tan Estrada reported this Saturday on Facebook the manipulation of the elevator in the 26-story building in the city of Camagüey, where unknown individuals allegedly removed a part, taken out a screw, and cut part of the wiring.
According to the information shared by the reporter, next to the section of the cut cable lay the screw that had been removed from the elevator's mechanism.
The situation is particularly concerning for residents because, according to the complaint, the building management is stating that the elevator can be used by just two or three people. However, sources consulted by Tan Estrada warned that the equipment poses a danger and should not be used until a technical inspection is conducted to ensure its safety.
Sources linked to the provincial government of Camagüey stated that State Security is investigating whether the incident is related to possible sabotage or theft, they added.
The property, located near the Plaza de la Revolución Ignacio Agramonte, had already experienced another episode of vandalism. In the early hours of December 31, 2025, its main doors, including the frames, were ripped off and access was left completely exposed. To date, no responsible parties have been identified, nor is there confirmation of a police investigation.
The new complaint triggered outrage among residents and citizens. "For God's sake, how long will the banditry in Camagüey continue? This is unforgivable, so many families affected in the building," wrote a neighbor.
Another commentator emphasized that the elevator must be inspected before it can be put back into operation. "Before it is activated, it must be checked and certified by the appropriate company or organization. I wouldn’t step foot in that thing even if I lived on the 25th floor," he asserted.
The fear of a serious accident also emerged among the reactions. "That could end the lives of children and hundreds of innocent people," warned another citizen, who noted that the damage directly affects the residents.
The episode takes place amid a security situation that is concerning the residents of Camagüey. The municipal government acknowledged more than 600 offenses during the first half of the year, with four out of ten related to serious crimes such as burglary and theft of livestock.
However, citizens questioned those figures and pointed out the possibility of underreporting of criminal activity.
The theft of collective infrastructure also impacts telecommunications services. Earlier this month, the state telecommunications monopoly, Etecsa, reported the loss of more than 2,000 meters of cables in the Agramonte territory due to theft and vandalism. Some locations were attacked up to three times, and repairs took more than two months to complete.
Other recent incidents include the theft of an electric tricycle in front of the Provincial Hospital in October, and reports of theft in city parking lots during August. Residents attribute part of the insecurity to prolonged power outages and the lack of police patrols.
At the national level, the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 2,833 crimes in 2025, an increase of 115% compared to the previous year. Thefts topped the records, with 1,536 cases.
Related videos:
Filed under: