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The Cuban regime condemned on Thursday seven employees of the Electric Company of Havana and 14 residential customers from the Plaza de la Revolución municipality who were involved in a case of corruption and fraud.
During an oral and public trial at the Provincial Court of Havana, the defendants faced charges of forgery of bank and commercial documents.
They were also convicted for continued bribery and for manipulating electricity consumption, reported the website Cubadebate.
According to the note, the fraud involved the manipulation of records using the Integrated Automated Commercial Management System, through which the individuals involved artificially reduced the actual consumption of high-energy customers.
The individuals sanctioned were sentenced to six to eight years of imprisonment.
Among those involved were the provincial system administrator, the company's IT specialist, staff from the Commercial Office of Plaza de la Revolución, inspectors, and meter readers-collectors.
Last year, the authorities stated that the incidence of electrical fraud in the capital of the country is high.
Only in the month of July, over 15,000 electricity frauds were detected in the Cuban capital, said José Conesa González, coordinator of programs and objectives for industries of the provincial government, at a meeting of the Provincial Energy Council section.
More than 90% of electrical fraud in the capital is linked to unreported activities by consumers, including production and service management that are not declared to the Labor Department in their respective municipalities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Electrical Fraud in Havana and Corruption in Cuba
What did the electrical fraud in Havana consist of?
The electricity fraud in Havana involved the alteration of consumption records through the Comprehensive Automated Commercial Management System. The actual consumption of high-energy clients was artificially reduced, which entailed document forgery and ongoing bribery.
What sanctions were imposed on those involved in the electricity fraud?
The court imposed sentences of six to eight years of imprisonment on the main perpetrators of the electricity fraud. Other involved parties, including benefiting customers, received economic penalties and administrative fines, based on their level of participation.
How does this case relate to the energy crisis in Cuba?
This case of electrical fraud occurs within the context of an energy crisis in Cuba, characterized by frequent blackouts and an obsolete electrical infrastructure. Corruption and fraud exacerbate the situation by diverting critical resources, intensifying the energy shortage and increasing social discontent.
Why has the Cuban government intensified actions against crime and corruption?
The Cuban government has intensified actions against crime and corruption in response to the worsening economic, political, and social crisis in the country. This offensive aims to curb the rise of crimes and maintain strict social control, but it also reflects an attempt to divert attention from the structural problems caused by its own poor management.
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