Residents living on Carnicería Street in central Santiago de Cuba have been left without power for over four days after a team of workers removed a transformer, according to independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on Saturday.
The crew informed the locals that the equipment had an "internal fault," yet provided no timeline for replacement or further details. The outage affects multiple blocks in the area bounded by Carnicería, Trinidad, and San Ricardo streets.
"There is no replacement date, no clear explanations, and no alternative solutions for the affected families," stated Mayeta Labrada while sharing images of Soviet-made crane trucks and workers in yellow helmets and blue overalls dismantling the equipment from poles.
In the meantime, residents are forced to cook on the streets, endure sweltering temperatures, and watch as their limited food supplies spoil due to the lack of refrigeration.
A similar situation was reported on Saturday in the Altamira neighborhood, specifically on 1st Rojas Street, where another transformer was removed, leaving families waiting for answers.
What troubles the residents most is not just the absence of power, but the question of what happens to the removed equipment. "The question echoing among the population is: where do these transformers end up once taken down?" noted the journalist.
Although there is no official confirmation, locals across various neighborhoods report witnessing transformers being dismantled from entire communities while blackouts persist unsolved. This has fueled suspicions that the equipment might be redirected to prioritized circuits or areas inhabited by officials.
The complaints emerge amid an unprecedented electrical crisis. On Saturday, the Electric Union reported an availability of only 1,270 MW against a maximum demand of 3,050 MW, with a shortfall of 1,780 MW and eight out of 16 thermoelectric units out of service.
Santiago de Cuba is among the hardest-hit provinces in eastern Cuba. On June 1, a senior official from the local Electric Company publicly admitted that they often couldn't guarantee even two hours of daily electricity service.
The shortage of transformers and spare parts exacerbates the situation. The Electric Company of Guantánamo reported eight damaged transformers with no available replacements. Across the island, transformers have become targets for systematic theft of dielectric oil; in Songo La Maya, an explosion linked to such theft resulted in one death and one injury in April.
The energy crisis has sparked a wave of protests in Santiago de Cuba. Last Friday, residents of the José Martí district demonstrated, demanding electricity and food, chanting slogans like "we want power," "food for our children," and "down with the dictatorship." On June 5, residents of Micro 2 held pot-banging protests after more than ten days without electricity due to an unrepaired broken transformer.
"It's time for the top party authorities in Santiago de Cuba to speak transparently and for the Santiago de Cuba Electric Company to account for the dismantling of the transformers and their actual whereabouts," demanded Mayeta Labrada.
Frequently Asked Questions About Transformer Removal in Santiago de Cuba
Why are transformers being removed in Santiago de Cuba?
Transformers are reportedly being removed due to "internal faults," but there is no clear explanation or timeline for their replacement, leading to significant disruptions.
What impact does the removal of transformers have on residents?
Residents are experiencing prolonged power outages, leading to difficulties such as cooking on the streets, dealing with high temperatures, and food spoilage due to lack of refrigeration.
Are there any protests related to the power outages in Santiago de Cuba?
Yes, the energy crisis has led to protests in Santiago de Cuba, with residents demanding electricity and food, and expressing their frustration with the government.