Thief Takes Advantage of Blackout to Attempt Phone Theft in Camagüey

A security camera captured the moment a man attempted to snatch a cell phone from someone standing by a window at their home during a nighttime blackout in Camagüey.

The video was shared on Facebook by Eduardo Enrique Hernández Valdés, who noted, “Attempted phone theft last night at 11:30 PM (Camagüey, Cuba).” The footage, recorded by a security camera, displays the front of a house and the exact moment the attempted robbery occurs.

In the clip, the suspect arrives on a bicycle, stops a short distance from the building, and puts on a balaclava he had stored in a bag before approaching. He then stealthily advances towards the window, where the unsuspecting victim is holding a mobile phone.

The would-be thief tries to grab the phone, but the target resists, leading to a struggle that lasts several seconds before the man flees the scene.

It remains unclear if the thief succeeded in taking the phone. One comment on the post claims he escaped with the device, while others argue that the victim managed to thwart the robbery.

Viewers of the video noted the apparent premeditation of the crime. "He had the hood in his bag; a sure sign that he's accustomed to this. It's beyond words, Cuba gets worse every day," remarked one user.

Another user mentioned a similar incident that night in a different area of the city: "Last night, they were doing the same thing on bicycles around Agramonte."

Impact of Energy Crisis on Security

Many comments highlighted the circumstances forcing Cubans to linger by doors and windows during the night. "With the blackouts and no connection, people try to find a spot with coverage and some air. You can't even feel safe at home," summed up one commenter.

The scene illustrates a growing reality on the island. The ongoing energy crisis pushes thousands to their porches, balconies, or windows to catch a breeze or mobile and internet signals when telecommunications fail.

In early August, Cuba experienced its sixth total collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) in 2026, with the Electric Union (UNE) confirming a complete disconnection of the nation's electric grid at 10:43 PM on Sunday, August 2.

During July 2026 alone, the SEN suffered at least three general collapses, with outages lasting 48 to 72 hours in various provinces. In June, Camagüey faced blackouts exceeding 20 hours a day, leaving the city without television signal for more than four days.

These blackouts also disrupt communications. ETECSA reported that during major outages, up to 56.5% of its telecommunications cabinets go offline, forcing many users to move or stay in exposed areas to get coverage.

Rising Crime Concerns

The increasing insecurity is becoming a significant concern for Cubans. In August 2024, there were already reports of home burglaries exploiting open windows during nighttime blackouts.

Camagüey, in particular, has seen a rise in criminal activity in recent months. On July 26, neighbors captured a man allegedly stealing solar panels by jumping from rooftop to rooftop. In April, a woman was severely injured in a knife attack near the Railroad Terminal.

Nationally, the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC) recorded 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, a 115% increase from 2024 and a 337% rise compared to 2023. The majority of these were thefts, with 1,536 incidents reported.

"You can't even feel safe at home in this country, where human misery grows alongside, or even more than, the cost of living," wrote one user, encapsulating the sentiment of many Cubans after the video's release.