Authorities have apprehended two men after they broke into the "Las Villegas" Solar Park in the town of La Nenita, Guisa municipality, Granma province, under the cover of night. The pair allegedly stole 20 metal beams from the support structure of the solar panels.
The incident was reported by the pro-government Facebook page "Entérate con Aytana Alama," which labeled the act as sabotage and confirmed that law enforcement recovered all the stolen components. The suspects are now facing charges related to this crime.
The Significance of the Stolen Beams
The official report highlighted that the theft occurred during nighttime hours, where the suspects removed 20 critical metal beams essential for the stability of the solar panel installation. Without these beams, the panels risk collapse or damage from strong winds.
The official statement explained, "For those unfamiliar with solar technology, 20 metal beams may seem like mere frames or pieces of iron. However, in a solar park, these beams are the backbone of the entire system."
The report did not specify the exact date of the incident or the arrest, nor did it disclose the names of the individuals involved or the current status of their legal proceedings. Such official communications often serve more as public deterrents than as verifiable journalistic information.
An Installation Recently Launched
The "Las Villegas" Solar Park was connected to the National Electric System on April 10, 2026, just months before the theft. The facility contributes 5 MW of power generation and 1 MW of storage through batteries, comprising 9,048 photovoltaic panels and two inverters of 2.5 MW each.
This project is part of a cooperative program with China to install 120 MW of solar capacity in Cuba, with Granma as a key province in this initiative.
A Persistent Wave of Thefts
The incident in Guisa is not an isolated case. In the same province, back in September 2025, police apprehended individuals responsible for stealing over 50 beams and panels from the Juan Pérez II Solar Park in Niquero.
In May 2026, four people assaulted and tied up a guard at a pumping station in Holguín to steal 32 solar panels. By June 2026, the theft of four panels in Holguín disrupted television signals to four communities in the Plan Turquino area.
This crime wave is fueled by Cuba's most severe electrical crisis in decades, increasing the value of metal materials and panels on the black market, thus making unprotected installations vulnerable targets.
Harsh Penalties Fail to Deter Crime
In response to the surge in such incidents, the regime has implemented what it calls "exemplary trials." The Supreme People's Court's Ruling 475, issued in May 2025, reclassified these thefts as sabotage—not mere common theft—imposing penalties ranging from seven to 30 years in prison, life imprisonment, or the death penalty in severe cases.
The Supreme Court itself has stated that sentences range from ten to thirty years of incarceration, perpetual imprisonment, or death. Between January 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, all individuals tried for sabotage of the power system received sentences exceeding ten years.
In July of this year, a court sentenced an individual to 12 years for sabotage of the Bungo 2 Electric Substation in Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba. Nonetheless, the thefts persist.
Understanding Solar Park Security Challenges in Cuba
Why are solar parks in Cuba targeted for theft?
Solar parks in Cuba are targeted due to the high value of metal materials and solar panels on the black market, driven by the country's severe electrical crisis.
What measures has the Cuban government taken against these thefts?
The Cuban government has introduced "exemplary trials," reclassifying such thefts as sabotage with severe penalties, including long prison sentences, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty in extreme cases.