A same official from the Ministry of Communications of Cuba who furiously criticized the United States ambassador, Mike Hammer, on national television publicly requested, just days before, that Cubans donate foreign currency to "save ETECSA."
Tamara Dovale Moisés, with a militant speech and an unwavering defense of the Cuban government, labeled the American diplomat as "hypocritical," "a monster," and "a representative of the most criminal country on the planet" during an intervention broadcasted by the Cuban Television News, where she also blamed the "blockade" for all the ills that the country suffers from.
"What can he represent, a monster? Because, what is the United States if not a monster that is drowning us? [...] He wants the people to rise up, to overthrow the government... but we will continue to resist," said the official, with gestures of indignation.
However, only days earlier, Dovale posted on her Facebook account a request that has caused confusion: she proposed that Cubans, both on the island and abroad, make donations in dollars or euros to an ETECSA account to help the state-owned company purchase backup batteries and maintain mobile phone and internet service.
"And if we all donated a contribution in foreign currency, as much as we can, of course [...] from 1 dollar to whatever we can, to an ETECSA account, so they can purchase backup batteries, radio bases, etc. [...] Saving ETECSA is thinking as a country," wrote the official.
The proposal starkly contrasts with his vehement condemnation of the United States and the capitalist system. While he labels the North American country as "abusive" and "terrorist," he now asks for the money of Cubans, many of whom reside in that very "monster," to support the services of a public company criticized for its high prices and low quality.
Dovale attempts to justify the costs of ETECSA with a peculiar example: the price of a “tortita” on the street. “6.5 GB for 360 CUP or 5 torticas. Think about it”, he wrote, referring to the mobile data package offered by the company. This comparison was met with irony by many internet users, who question why a basic telecommunications service is defended as if it were a culinary luxury.
The official also warned about the risk of ETECSA collapsing like the National Electric Union (UNE), leaving entire areas without internet during blackouts, which, she claims, is already happening in regions like Pinar del Río due to the lack of supplies "that cost a lot of foreign currency to acquire."
The plea has generated a wave of criticism on social media, where many Cubans pointed out the contradiction of attacking the United States with such vehemence while resorting to the pockets of those living in that country to sustain a system that offers no answers, only demands.
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