In Santiago de Cuba, a number of individuals have been apprehended due to their suspected involvement in the illegal trade of transformer oil, which had been stolen from electrical transformers. Those detained include drivers and owners of private vehicles that operate as passenger transport services.
The details of these arrests were shared by Héroes del Moncada, a profile known to be aligned with the regime and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT). They reported that members of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), the Technical Investigations Department (DTI), and various inspectors were actively engaged in the investigation.
While the report is sparse on specific details about those arrested, it is laden with propaganda and slogans. However, it does highlight a recurring issue that the profile acknowledges has become more prevalent in recent months.
There is a clear warning tone directed at those involved in these activities, emphasizing the potential repercussions and urging the public to report such crimes rather than become "accomplices" to these actions.
The investigation looked into the fuels used by private vehicles for passenger transport and found blends of diesel with transformer oil, diesel with fuel oil, and even fuel oil being used alone as a fuel source.
The profile referred to those involved as "receivers of the product," but did not disclose how many were detained, their identities, locations of the arrests, or the specific charges they face.
Impact on Electrical Infrastructure
The theft of transformer oil primarily occurs in electrical transformers, where the liquid serves as an insulator and coolant. Removing the oil can render the equipment inoperative, leading to extended power outages.
The regime's spokespersons stressed that these thefts compromise the electrical system, affecting both residential areas and state facilities, including hospitals, water pumping stations, and other public services.
Additionally, there is a significant risk for those illegally handling transformers. Santiago de Cuba has already witnessed fatal incidents as a result of these activities.
In April of this year, a tragic accident occurred when a man died and another suffered severe burns following an explosion while attempting to steal transformer oil in Songo La Maya. The two men were brothers, and authorities recovered 70 liters of the oil near the scene.
Repeated Incidents and Consequences
Earlier incidents also highlight the dangers of this practice. In September 2025, a man lost his life during an attempt to steal oil from a transformer on the Siboney Highway after contacting an energized part of the equipment, leaving La Fortaleza farm without electricity.
The link between stolen oil and private vehicles is not new. In December 2024, an individual was arrested in Contramaestre for allegedly selling transformer oil siphoned from transformers to motorcycle and other vehicle operators who reportedly used it as a lubricant.
In another significant incident, the theft of 300 liters of transformer oil in November of that year resulted in a power outage for the Dos Caminos community in San Luis municipality, damaging the area's electrical infrastructure.
Understanding the Implications of Transformer Oil Theft in Cuba
What are the consequences of stealing transformer oil?
Stealing transformer oil can cause significant damage to electrical infrastructure, leading to power outages and potentially harming residential and state facilities, including hospitals and water stations. It also poses a danger to those involved in the theft, with risks of fatal accidents.
How is stolen transformer oil being used?
The stolen oil is often mixed with diesel or fuel oil and used as a fuel alternative in private vehicles, including motorcycles and other passenger transport services. Some individuals have also attempted to use it as a lubricant.