Two Cubans were arrested this week for allegedly stealing metal beams from a solar park under construction in Colón, Matanzas. The theft, involving five beams measuring between 3 and 4 meters, was intercepted by authorities while one suspect transported the materials on an electric tricycle. The beams were identified as components of the support structure for photovoltaic panels, critical to the park's completion.

The arrest highlights ongoing security challenges at Cuba's renewable energy facilities, which are vital to the government's efforts to mitigate the country's persistent energy crisis. According to a Facebook post by Con Todos La Victoria, a profile linked to the Cuban government, the theft is a "sensitive issue" due to the park's role in providing reliable electricity to the region. The post also emphasized that such acts would be punished "exemplarily."

Investigations revealed that the custodian of the Deseada solar park, Juan Manuel Contreras Ordóñez, allegedly facilitated the theft. Both suspects are now in custody and face charges for their involvement. Authorities are probing whether additional individuals were involved.

This incident is not isolated. Earlier this year, stolen screws from another Matanzas solar park were found being sold in local markets. In December 2024, solar panels powering rural water pumps in Las Tunas were also stolen. The Cuban government has warned that such thefts could be prosecuted as sabotage, given their impact on the national energy grid.

The Deseada solar park is nearing completion and is expected to synchronize with Cuba's National Electroenergy System soon. However, repeated thefts threaten to delay such projects, exacerbating the country's energy shortages. The government has pledged to intensify security measures, but the incidents underscore broader challenges in safeguarding critical infrastructure amid economic hardship.