The province of Matanzas is grappling with a severe electrical crisis, as 91 transformers remain damaged and more than 55,000 liters of dielectric oil have been stolen, according to a report by Radio 26 on Friday. This theft exacerbates the already fragile state of the province's electrical grid.
Alejandro Rodríguez Azpeitia, the director of the Provincial Electric Company of Matanzas, verified these figures and emphasized the ongoing efforts to monitor and restore the impacted equipment.
Among the planned interventions is the repair of transformers at the substations in Spain and Admiración, located in the municipality of Perico. These efforts are scheduled to be carried out shortly.
Communities Suffer Extended Outages
The community of Carbonera is experiencing one of the most severe impacts, having been without electricity for over three months as efforts continue to restore its transformer.
The 33-kilovolt substations in Cárdenas and Salé also remain unresolved due to similar criminal acts.
Impact on Local Services and Economy
Additionally, the transformer at the taxi base is still out of order, leaving 13 electric tricycles unable to serve the public, who would otherwise pay a fare of 10 pesos, according to the report.
The theft of dielectric oil is a major contributor to these issues. Once the oil is removed, transformers lose their insulation and cooling capabilities, resulting in a short circuit that renders them inoperable, extending power outages beyond those planned.
Widespread Theft and Its Consequences
Matanzas accounts for 60% of the country's dielectric oil thefts, with over 70 incidents recorded in the province. The stolen oil is sold on the black market as a substitute for diesel in tractors and agricultural machinery, fetching between 500 and 2,500 Cuban pesos per liter.
Residents between La Línea and La Campana in Pedro Betancourt have been without electricity for 26 days as of September 9 due to oil theft from their transformers. In Agramonte, the oil from the village turbine's transformer was stolen twice in under two weeks.
The government has responded with harsh penalties. Under the Supreme People's Court's Ruling 475/2025, dielectric oil theft is classified as sabotage, carrying sentences of seven to 30 years imprisonment, and in aggravated cases, life imprisonment or the death penalty.
On Tuesday, state television reported that the First Criminal Chamber of the Matanzas Provincial People's Court sentenced Ilde Yero Cruz to 10 years in prison for stealing 40 liters of oil from a transformer bank in Jovellanos. The Provincial Prosecutor's Office is preparing at least 14 additional cases.
Cuban authorities have disclosed that between 2025 and the first half of this year, over 460 criminal investigations were initiated for offenses against the National Electric System (NES), including sabotage, damage, theft with force, larceny, and receiving stolen goods.
Understanding Transformer Oil Theft in Matanzas
What is the impact of dielectric oil theft in Matanzas?
The theft has led to significant electrical outages, damaging 91 transformers and disrupting power supply in various communities, while also complicating efforts to maintain and restore the electrical grid.
How does stolen dielectric oil affect transformers?
Without the oil, transformers lose their ability to insulate and cool, leading to short circuits and rendering them inoperable, which extends power outages.
What measures has the government taken against oil theft?
The theft of dielectric oil is now considered sabotage, with penalties ranging from seven to 30 years in prison, and in severe cases, life imprisonment or the death penalty, according to recent government rulings.