A Cuban mother from Alacranes, Matanzas, has made a tearful plea after a thief stole her EcoFlow power station and solar panel. These items were gifts meant to ease the burden of power outages and ensure her children didn't suffer.
Yamislay López shared her distress on Facebook, recounting the theft that took place on September 1, coinciding with the start of the 2026-2027 school year. She had briefly left her home to buy backpacks for her kids.
"At twelve forty-five today, I stepped out to buy backpacks for my children because the new school year started, and I didn't even have the means to get them. Life in Cuba is incredibly tough right now," she recounted, visibly shaken.
During her absence, the intruder reportedly entered through a broken rear window and took both the power station and solar panel.
López explained that the EcoFlow was a gift from a supporter to help her family amidst the relentless power cuts.
"It was given to me as a gift to help my kids, and now some lowlife comes and steals it. That's just not right," she lamented.
The police visited her home and collected fingerprints, but López expressed doubts about recovering the stolen items.
"The police came, took fingerprints, but I know that won't solve anything. That's just how it is here in Alacranes," she stated.
In hopes of finding a trace of the stolen equipment, the mother searched the woods behind her house, documenting her efforts on Facebook.
"I spent quite some time searching the woods behind my house. It's painful, but I believe better days will come. I won't give up," she later wrote.
Beyond the material loss, López described the fear instilled in her children, who now worry about another break-in.
"No one can imagine the weight on my chest today, seeing my children scared and crying, fearing someone might break in again. They barely slept," she shared.
In a direct message to the thief—whom she suspects may follow her online—she urged them to return the EcoFlow before the situation escalates.
"I'm staying calm, giving you the chance to return the EcoFlow to my front porch. A strong mother like me won't make it easy for you," she warned.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of EcoFlow thefts reported in Matanzas and other provinces. The ongoing energy crisis has made these portable power stations highly sought after as families struggle with power outages that can last for hours or even days.
The cost of these devices ranges from $369 to over $2,600, prices that are unaffordable for many Cuban households without assistance from family or friends abroad.
The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 1,536 confirmed thefts in 2025, marking a 479% increase compared to 2023, while the Ministry of the Interior acknowledged a 25% rise in property crimes that year.
The mother's plea came just a day after the U.S. Embassy in Havana warned about the "widespread increase in crime in Cuba."
"There’s no humanity left; Cubans have lost everything: morals, dignity, respect, everything," López declared in a video that has already been viewed over 158,000 times on Facebook.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Theft
Why are EcoFlow power stations valuable in Cuba?
Due to frequent and prolonged power outages, EcoFlow power stations provide a crucial alternative energy source, making them highly valuable for families seeking to maintain some level of normalcy.
How has the energy crisis impacted crime rates in Cuba?
The energy crisis has led to an increase in thefts, particularly of valuable items like EcoFlow power stations, as they become essential for coping with the frequent blackouts.