MATANZAS, Cuba – A young man identified as Orlando Martínez Gallardo was arrested after reportedly being caught in the act of stealing 36 meters of cable from the Supertankers Base in Matanzas, according to a source linked to the Ministry of the Interior (Minint).
The incident was disclosed in a brief statement published on the official Facebook page “Con Todos La Victoria,” which confirmed that employees of the facility apprehended Martínez Gallardo during the alleged theft.
The post stated that Martínez Gallardo has a criminal record for assault, and that he now faces legal proceedings for burglary. However, the report did not clarify whether he was authorized to access the facility as a worker or if he violated security protocols to enter Cuba’s largest fuel storage site.
A commenter claiming to know Martínez Gallardo stated that he is indeed employed at the base, although this has not been officially verified. Neither the exact date of the incident nor further details about the theft were released.
The Supertanker Base in Matanzas is currently undergoing reconstruction, with the installation of a new dome for fuel tank 49-1, the first of four tanks being rebuilt after the devastating fire of August 2022, which killed 17 people, injured over 120, and destroyed four storage tanks. It was one of the worst industrial disasters in Cuba’s history.
News of the alleged theft quickly sparked intense debate on social media, particularly among Matanzas residents and people familiar with the suspect. While some expressed sympathy, citing the ongoing economic hardships faced by many Cubans, others condemned the act and emphasized the importance of upholding integrity—even in difficult times.
This incident comes amid a surge in crime across Cuba, driven by deepening economic recession, rising inflation, shortages of basic goods, and deteriorating public services.
Recent criminal cases making headlines include:
The dismantling of a motorcycle theft ring in Santiago de Cuba,
The arrest of two men who stole televisions from a school in Sancti Spíritus,
And an armed assault on a farming cooperative in Holguín, involving over 10 individuals and resulting in theft and abduction.
Authorities have not confirmed when Martínez Gallardo will appear in court.
