Maximum Strictness in Cuba Against Sabotage of the Electrical System

The president of Cuba’s Supreme People’s Court, Oscar Silvera, stated today that the courts imposed sentences of between nine and 20 years of imprisonment on those convicted of sabotaging the electrical system.

In a message posted on the social network X, the head of the court emphasized that the judicial decisions comply with the requirements of due process and the seriousness of the crime.
Cuban authorities initiated more than 460 criminal investigations. Between 2025 and the first half of 2026 for attacks on the electrical infrastructure.

According to the Granma newspaper, the theft of dielectric oil from transformers is the most frequent practice.

This crime has registered more than 300 complaints in all provinces. With the highest incidence in Matanzas, Ciego de Avila, Mayabeque, Santiago de Cuba, and Artemisa.

Also the Cuban Penal Code stipulates penalties for sabotage ranging from seven to 30 years of imprisonment, life imprisonment, or the death penalty.
Starting in May 2025, the Supreme People’s Court agreed to classify acts of vandalism against components of the electrical system as sabotage. Due to their impact on the economy, national security, and public order.

Investigations by the Ministry of the Interior determined that these acts occur primarily in areas with low traffic, poor lighting, and a lack of surveillance.

Also the extracted oil is sold on the black market as fuel. Other methods include cutting and stealing cables, wires, and bolts from the distribution network. As well as damaging photovoltaic solar parks.

The Attorney General’s Office ordered pretrial detention for 87 percent of those charged and requested severe sentences.

Furthermore the prolonged power outages affected thousands of families. Paralyzed production centers essential for the supply of food and water, and harmed agricultural entities.

The official statement specified that, in some cases, the perpetrators lost their lives while tampering with power lines during the theft of materials.

Finally the Cuban state reaffirmed its commitment to combating impunity for those who threaten the well-being of the population. In a context marked by the complex energy situation and the tightening of the US embargo.

With information from Prensa Latina

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