Content creator Juan López brought attention to a troubling incident involving the theft of cables from a 4G telecommunications antenna in Holguín. As a result, residents have been left with almost no connectivity, despite the installation of solar panels meant to boost signal strength back in July.
López shared a video on Friday via his Facebook page, "Juan Cuenta Holguín," where he highlighted the affected tower located on the provincial Agriculture delegation building, near the intersection of the Gibara highway and Cajigal Avenue, close to the Children's Park.
"Just days after the installation, the cables were stolen, and now the entire neighborhood is nearly offline. Typical happenings in Cuba," he remarked, reminding his followers of the initial enthusiasm the solar panel setup had generated.
In his post, he emphasized that cable theft and other vandalism against 4G towers have become a distressing trend in the city. Reactions to the post revealed similar issues elsewhere, with one resident from the Alex Urquiola neighborhood reporting over four months without internet or phone service, suspected to be due to cable theft from a tower over the Latinoamericana store. The resident also expressed frustration over the lack of restoration efforts.
Another user from Fontanar, in the Boyeros municipality of Havana, confirmed that neighbors continue to face connectivity challenges, unable to use mobile data or their phones properly.
In response to these accounts, López noted that the issue "appears to be happening all over Cuba." However, the shared experiences in the comments do not definitively point to cable theft as the sole cause of the disruptions.
A user called for severe penalties for those responsible, to which López replied that measures are reportedly being implemented, though he did not specify what these measures entail or provide details on when services might be restored in the impacted areas.
This incident is part of a growing pattern of thefts and attacks on telecommunications infrastructure across the province. In 2025 alone, the Territorial Division of the state-run Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A. (Etecsa) in Holguín recorded 27 acts of vandalism, resulting in losses exceeding 529,000 Cuban pesos.
In March, a theft of 180 meters of cable led to a more than two-month shutdown of the Oscar Lucero pumping station in the City of Parks, disrupting water supplies to several areas.
June witnessed the theft of solar panels, which cut television signal to four popular councils of the Plan Turquino in Sagua de Tánamo. Similarly, in Las Tunas, thefts of Etecsa cables and solar panels in September impacted crucial water and electricity facilities.
The Supreme People's Court's Ruling 475, enacted in May 2025, categorizes such acts as sabotage, carrying penalties ranging from seven to 30 years of imprisonment, life sentences, or even the death penalty for the most severe cases.
Nonetheless, public perception is that impunity prevails, encouraging repeat offenses and hindering efforts to improve connectivity across the island.
Consequences of Cable Theft in Cuba
What impact does cable theft have on local communities in Cuba?
Cable theft results in significant disruptions to telecommunications and internet services, leaving communities disconnected and hindering access to essential services.
How is the Cuban government addressing the issue of cable theft?
The Cuban government has implemented severe legal penalties for acts of sabotage, including lengthy prison sentences and potentially the death penalty for the most serious offenses.
Why might cable theft continue despite strict penalties?
Persisting impunity and a lack of effective enforcement might contribute to ongoing cable theft, as residents perceive a lack of consequences for the offenders.