On Friday night, a tragic incident unfolded in the Altos de Esperanza area within Songo La Maya municipality, Santiago de Cuba, where one man lost his life and another suffered severe burns. The two individuals attempted to steal dielectric oil from a transformer bank, leading to an explosion that plunged two municipalities into darkness.
The provincial Electric Company shared details of the incident through its social media channels, providing updates and insights from the ongoing investigation.
According to the initial report, the two men extracted dielectric oil from a transformer bank responsible for powering the community's water pumping system.
During this act, an explosion occurred, causing the 33 kV line that supplies power to Songo La Maya and Segundo Frente to go offline.
The company confirmed the tragic outcome: one man died due to the incident, and the other sustained severe burns.
This act has been deemed a serious crime, falling under Article 125, section 1, clause a) of Law No. 151/2022 in the Penal Code, the company stated.
The theft not only endangered lives but also attacked the infrastructure vital for everyday life and economic development in the country.
Understanding the Role of Dielectric Oil
The Electric Company elaborated on the critical nature of the stolen oil, explaining that dielectric oil acts as both a coolant and an insulator, crucial for maintaining proper temperatures within the equipment.
Removing this oil can lead to system failures, explosions, and blackouts, as evidenced by the power outages in Songo La Maya and Segundo Frente.
The entity further warned about the cumulative impact of such thefts, highlighting the escalating shortage of this essential resource for the electrical system, which poses not only economic losses but also severe consequences for the population.
Investigation Reveals More Details
In a follow-up announcement, the Electric Company disclosed that the two individuals involved were brothers, with the surviving brother admitting to his role in the theft.
"The matter has been clarified. Two individuals were involved: one deceased and the other, his brother, who admitted participation. We recovered 70 liters of the stolen oil 100 meters from the site," the state company revealed.
As of the time of reporting, the identities of those involved have not been publicly released.
History of Similar Incidents
This incident is not an isolated one. In September 2025, another individual in Santiago de Cuba died while attempting to steal dielectric oil from a transformer on the Siboney Highway.
In November 2024, a theft of 300 liters at the Paquito Rosales Substation in Dos Caminos community, San Luis municipality, left thousands without electricity. Later that year, authorities arrested a resident of Las Américas neighborhood, Contramaestre, for selling oil stolen from transformers.
The legal framework surrounding these acts includes severe penalties. In May 2025, the Supreme People's Court reaffirmed that sabotage of the electrical system could result in prison sentences ranging from seven to 15 years, with life imprisonment or death as potential outcomes for severe cases.
Every individual convicted of such crimes between January 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 received sentences exceeding 10 years. Official spokesperson Humberto López reiterated these penalties on the state program "Hacemos Cuba" yesterday.
Energy Crisis in Context
This incident occurs amid an unprecedented energy crisis in Cuba. By 2026, the country faced an electricity generation deficit exceeding 2,040 MW during peak hours, with total collapses of the National Electric System, the most severe lasting nearly 30 hours between March 16 and 18.
Santiago de Cuba has endured blackouts lasting up to 24 hours daily, driving some citizens to desperate actions with often deadly results.
Frequently Asked Questions about Transformer Explosions in Cuba
What caused the transformer explosion in Santiago de Cuba?
The explosion was caused by an attempt to steal dielectric oil from a transformer bank, which is crucial for its cooling and insulating properties.
What are the legal consequences of such thefts in Cuba?
Theft of dielectric oil is considered a serious crime, punishable by severe prison sentences ranging from seven to 15 years, with the possibility of life imprisonment or death in extreme cases.
How does the theft of dielectric oil impact the community?
Stealing dielectric oil can lead to transformer failures, explosions, and extended blackouts, severely affecting the community's daily life and economic activities.