Over 400 residents in the Guerrita area of Mayarí, located in Holguín province, have endured almost a month of power outages due to an incident that further strains Cuba's already delicate electrical infrastructure: the theft of dielectric oil from a substation left the community without service for 29 days.
In the face of a national shortage of replacement equipment, a solution emerged from afar. A 630 kVA transformer was transported from Melones in Havana through a technically complex operation coordinated by the Holguín Electric Company, as detailed by specialist Alfredo Molina Coutiño to official spokesperson Emilio Rodríguez Pupo.
The challenge was significant. The Guerrita substation operates at an unusual voltage level in Cuba (33 to 4 kV), which prevented the rerouting of energy from nearby stations with different standards. This situation necessitated the mobilization of resources from the capital amidst the national scarcity.
Efforts to Restore Power
Although the new transformer is smaller than its predecessor, authorities claim it is capable of meeting the area's demand. Meanwhile, technical brigades are also working in Pinares, where they are replenishing the stolen oil at the La Mensura substation and replacing critical components to prevent future failures.
Behind these efforts lies a story of daily resilience. Community members have adjusted their routines to support technicians and monitor the installations in an attempt to prevent further thefts that could worsen the crisis.
The restoration of service is expected by Wednesday night, but the episode exposes a growing reality on the island: vulnerable infrastructures, resource shortages, and entire communities forced to endure weeks without electricity.
Widespread Theft Issues
The case in Guerrita adds to a wave of dielectric oil thefts in Cuba that have exacerbated the country's already dire energy situation throughout April 2026.
Similar incidents occurred this month in Amancio, Las Tunas, where the theft of 600 liters of dielectric oil left 40% of the municipality without electricity, affecting 4,947 customers.
Last Monday, a Cuban was arrested in Jagüey Grande, Matanzas, after stealing oil from a 33 kV substation, leaving 4,429 homes, a hospital, a polyclinic, and a hygiene center without service.
Dielectric oil, which functions as an insulator and coolant in transformers, is resold on the black market for up to 500 Cuban pesos per liter for use as a lubricant or tractor fuel.
Holguín has been experiencing a wave of thefts from the electrical system since at least April 2025, with stolen conductors, transformers, oil, and batteries resulting in losses exceeding 21,000 pesos.
This situation is compounded by Cuba's power generation deficit, which surpassed 1,400 MW in April 2026, with Holguín being one of the hardest-hit provinces, experiencing blackouts lasting up to 24 hours daily.
The Impact of Dielectric Oil Theft in Cuba
Why is dielectric oil theft a significant issue in Cuba?
Dielectric oil theft is a major problem because it disrupts the operation of electrical transformers, leading to widespread power outages. It is also resold on the black market, exacerbating resource shortages.
How is the Cuban government addressing power shortages?
The government is coordinating complex operations to transport replacement equipment from other regions, like the recent transportation of a transformer from Havana to Mayarí, in an effort to restore power despite limited resources.
What role do communities play in preventing further thefts?
Community members have become actively involved by adjusting their routines to support technicians and monitor installations, helping to deter potential thieves and protect critical infrastructure.