Authorities address theft and sabotage of electrical infrastructure in Cuba and Argentina

In Cuba, the National Electric System (SEN) is facing a crisis characterized by frequent power outages due to aging thermoelectric plants, fuel shortages, and transmission failures. The Electric Union (UNE) has classified the theft of components from solar parks, substations, and transmission networks as sabotage under Article 125 of the Cuban Penal Code, as these acts target critical infrastructure. Convictions for such crimes carry sentences of seven to 15 years, which can increase to life imprisonment if the sabotage results in serious damage, injury, or death. Between January 2025 and March 2026, all convicted individuals received sentences exceeding 10 years.

In the Santa Fe province of Argentina, police operations in the La Capital Department have led to the arrest of 257 people between January 1 and October 20, 2026, for the theft and illegal sale of cables, meters, and bronze or copper items. The Ministry of Justice and Security has conducted inspections of scrap yards to curb the commercialization of stolen goods. The majority of these incidents involve public and residential cabling, which accounted for 78.6% of total apprehensions.