Electric Transformer Explosion Near Havana Police Station Raises Concerns

An electric transformer explosion ignited a fire near the Revolutionary National Police unit on Zanja Street in Central Havana on the night of Wednesday, May 6. Images shared by El Toque depict the area engulfed in smoke and sparks.

Locals who recorded the incident recounted that they had noticed a burning smell and signs of overheating from the equipment as early as that morning, suggesting the issue had been developing for hours before the explosion occurred.

Firefighters swiftly arrived on the scene to extinguish the flames. In the video, a witness identifies the cause as a "short circuit," while another remarks, "The firefighters are here; the fire is being put out."

No injuries were reported in the initial accounts of the incident. Cuban authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the event.

Infrastructure Deterioration Evident

The fact that the affected transformer was situated next to a police facility highlights that even state structures are not immune to the decay of Cuba's electrical infrastructure.

This incident occurs during a severe electricity crisis in Cuba in 2026. On the same day, May 6, Havana experienced power outages lasting up to 24 hours, with a peak disruption of 403 MW at 11:10 p.m. and an additional 105 MW due to unresolved emergencies.

The following day, the national electricity shortfall worsened, reaching approximately 1,900 MW, with only 1,370 MW available against a demand of 2,850 MW.

The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the country's main power source located in Matanzas, was offline on May 5 due to a boiler malfunction, marking its eighth failure in 2026 and over 36 years without major maintenance.

Recurring Transformer Explosions and Theft

Distribution transformers are particularly vulnerable in this context. In 2026, there have been documented systematic thefts of dielectric oil in several provinces, including Holguín, Granma, and Las Tunas, further exacerbating the network's failures.

These types of transformer explosions are not new in the capital. In March 2026, another transformer explosion resulted in flames and thick smoke in another area of the country, also without injuries reported.

In the Playa municipality of Havana, 192 blackouts were recorded between April 10 and 23, 2026, illustrating the magnitude of the capital's collapse. Faced with such deterioration, authorities have even urged the public to monitor the electrical grid due to the state's inability to maintain it.

Cuba requires eight fuel shipments monthly to sustain its electrical system, but since December 2025, it has received only one, according to statements from Miguel Díaz-Canel himself, summarizing the extent of the energy debacle plaguing the island.