In the Calabazar neighborhood of Boyeros, Havana, an uproar ensued Thursday night as residents uncovered a fraudulent scheme involving state electricity workers. These workers were illicitly selling electricity meant for the community, as revealed through reports on social media platforms.
A resident named Isol G brought the issue to light, explaining that Calabazar had been suffering from severe electricity shortages, receiving power for only a short time each day, while other circuits and private businesses enjoyed uninterrupted service.
"The linemen who operate the power truck were caught negotiating and selling the electricity designated for us, prioritizing other circuits and private enterprises that had power 24/7," Isol G posted on Facebook.
According to her account, the residents caught the workers red-handed: the service vehicle was loaded with beer cases, the workers had bundles of cash, and they were intoxicated.
"The community took matters into their own hands and caught them in the act, indulging and profiting at the community's expense," Isol G reported, confirming that the linemen were subsequently detained.
Simultaneously, other residents of Boyeros gathered outside the municipal government headquarters, demanding explanations for the ongoing power outages. Video evidence shows security forces and a state truck present at the protest site.
Unveiling Corruption and Demanding Accountability
Isol G also highlighted a similar incident in the Mantilla neighborhood, where state electricity workers allegedly offered to restore service for $200, implying the outages were avoidable. "They insinuated we were in the dark by choice. For 200 USD, they’d restore power," she claimed.
While acknowledging that the energy crisis stems from structural issues, Isol G emphasized that corruption exacerbates the problem. "It's true that prolonged outages are partly due to fuel shortages, but some workers from the OBE and UNE have turned this into their business," she added.
She also made a personal plea: "I demand justice for the nights my newborn has suffered without sleep, enduring relentless outages and mosquito bites that harm her."
Broader Context of Energy Crisis and Protests
These incidents are not isolated. In Mariel, UNE employees faced charges for illegally diverting resources worth over 21 million pesos. In June 2025, several Havana Electric Company workers and clients were convicted for manipulating electric consumption. Guantánamo saw illegal connections to prioritized circuits in June 2026.
Boyeros has a history of protests related to the energy crisis. In November 2024, residents blocked Boyeros Avenue after a week without water or electricity, leading to police intervention. In September 2025, Calabazar residents took to the streets with pots and pans. By May 2026, protests spread due to outages lasting up to 22 hours daily in the Mulgoba area.
Currently, Cuba faces a dire electricity shortage, with a nearly 2,260 MW deficit during peak hours, while only 940 MW is available to meet a 3,100 MW demand. This marks the most severe energy crisis the nation has seen in decades. In June, 107 protests were recorded nationwide, 82 of which occurred in Havana—a historic high.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Public Response
What triggered the protest in Calabazar?
The protest was triggered by the discovery that state electricity workers were illegally selling power meant for residents, exacerbating the already severe electricity shortages in the area.
How did the residents respond to the electricity workers' actions?
Residents took direct action by confronting the workers, catching them in the act of selling electricity and reporting them to the authorities, which led to the workers' arrest.
What are the broader implications of this incident for Cuba?
This incident highlights the pervasive corruption within the state electricity system and underscores the severe energy crisis affecting Cuba, leading to widespread public unrest and demands for government accountability.