The Cuban regime has made it clear that it is determined to thwart any attempt to introduce and use Starlink antennas on the island, aware that they pose a direct threat to the state monopoly on telecommunications.
The possibility for the population to access the internet freely, quickly, and without censorship, bypassing the strict control of the Telecommunications Company of Cuba S.A. (ETECSA), is viewed by the government as a risk that must be contained at all costs.
In that line of technological repression, the first deputy chief of the General Customs of the Republic (AGR), Wiliam Pérez González, informed this Tuesday via the social network X that authorities detected a new attempt to illegally introduce seven Starlink satellite antennas.
According to the explanation, the equipment was hidden inside televisions and camouflaged among other merchandise as part of a shipment processed at the cargo terminal of Havana's international airport.
"The established measures were implemented," the official noted, without providing details about the country of origin of the antennas or the sanctions against those responsible for the attempted importation.
The regime's habitual secrecy makes it difficult to accurately gauge the extent of these actions, but it confirms that the authorities are maintaining their offensive against any technological alternatives that would allow Cubans to connect to the internet through means independent of ETECSA.
In April of last year, the AGR detected in the province of Holguín three Starlink devices hidden inside three televisions sent from the United States.
Pérez confirmed the news through a post on the social media platform X, where he stated that the interception occurred thanks to the "skill and preparation" of the customs forces.
Also that month, the regime once again detected attempts to bring satellite equipment into Havana Airport.
"There is a variety of models and ways to try to evade controls without declaring," Pérez noted on that occasion.
Recently, the Cuban regime criticized the American company SpaceX —operator of the satellite internet service Starlink— for allegedly operating illegally on the island and violating at least four U.S. laws, as well as international regulations.
The warning was published this Monday by the Technical Budgeted Unit for Radio Spectrum Control (UPTCERCuba), a state entity affiliated with the Ministry of Communications, which accuses Starlink of acting as a "digital bandit" and of evading both U.S. legislation and the international regulatory framework on telecommunications.
Frequently asked questions about the Cuban crusade against Starlink
Why does the Cuban regime oppose the use of Starlink?
The Cuban regime opposes the use of Starlink because it poses a threat to the state monopoly of ETECSA, allowing Cubans to access the internet freely and without censorship. The government views Starlink as a risk to its control over access to information and connectivity on the island, and for this reason, it has intensified its efforts to prevent the entry and use of these devices in the country.
How did Cuban Customs detect the Starlink antennas at Havana Airport?
The Cuban Customs detected seven hidden Starlink antennas inside televisions at the Havana airport. The equipment was camouflaged among other goods and had not been declared, which violated current regulations. Authorities implemented the established measures, although details regarding the penalties or the fate of the antennas were not provided.
What actions has the Cuban government taken against Starlink?
The Cuban government has launched an offensive to prevent the entry and use of Starlink equipment in the country. Authorities have warned that the use of Starlink without authorization is illegal and may result in penalties, and they have conducted multiple seizures of these devices at entry points such as Havana airport. Furthermore, they have strengthened their rhetoric regarding the need to control access to technologies that operate outside of state supervision.
What are the legal implications of using Starlink in Cuba?
Using Starlink in Cuba without authorization is considered illegal. The Cuban regime claims that the use of these devices infringes national legislation and international regulations, and warns that users may face fines, confiscation of equipment, and other penalties. International legislation and the regulations of the Cuban Ministry of Communications prohibit the importation and use of telecommunications equipment without state permission.
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