The Cuban regime claims that Starlink antennas are part of a "digital aggression" by the U.S.

The Cuban regime described the attempts to introduce Starlink satellite service antennas into the island as a "digital aggression" and claimed they are part of a covert strategy by the United States government to destabilize the country.

According to a publication from the profile Cuba X Siempre, a spokesperson for the regime, citing officials from the General Customs of the Republic and the Radioelectric Spectrum Control Unit (UPTCER), Starlink terminals are reportedly being smuggled into Cuba, concealed within appliances or personal luggage, and are already operating illegally in the country.

William Pérez González, Deputy Chief of Customs, raised concerns about the increase in attempts to introduce these devices, while Carlos Prieto de la Lastra, director of UPTCER, stated that there is an illegal ecosystem of antennas operating in Cuba.

According to reports, these facilities are affecting ETECSA's network, causing interference in 6% of the cells nationwide and up to 12% in Havana.

The devices, designed to provide high-speed internet via low-orbit satellites, are being sold on the Cuban black market for between $1,300 and $1,800, plus additional installation and transportation costs that can add another $300, the official profile indicated.

To activate the service, international bank cards are required, and in this regard, many users choose the roaming plan from the U.S. ($165 per month), while others activate it from countries like Mexico or Paraguay.

The regime's spokesperson also stated that the use of Starlink on the island violates several international regulations.

Among them, it mentions the OFAC regulations, which prohibit financial transactions with Cuba without a license; the Helms-Burton Act, which would allow lawsuits if antennas are installed on nationalized properties; and the legislation regarding the export of dual-use technologies.

They also mention that the International Telecommunication Union requires that any use of the radio spectrum must have authorization from the receiving country.

The official discourse frames the introduction of Starlink as a repetition of the "manual" of previous aggressions, comparing it to USAID operations such as the failed Zunzuneo project—a social network designed to influence young Cubans—or the illegal introduction of telecommunications equipment by contractor Alan Gross.

In that context, they recall that in July 2021, the State Department announced its intention to ensure an uncensored internet for Cuba, a demand driven by sectors of the exile community in Florida, including lawmakers such as Ron DeSantis and María Elvira Salazar.

This last initiative has actively promoted the use of Starlink in Cuba, even urging Elon Musk to replicate the model used in Ukraine.

Musk himself, in 2022, responded with a brief "OK" to a query on Twitter about whether he would enable his service for Cuba, mentioned a user aligned with the dictatorship.

Although brief, that response has been interpreted as a sign of support, especially in light of the lack of official statements from SpaceX or the U.S. government.

The official propaganda insists on portraying Starlink as a "Trojan horse," and those looking to connect as part of a larger strategy of destabilization, although it conveniently does not mention that this would be a way to bypass the tight restrictions on internet access imposed by ETECSA, the only telecommunications company operating in the country.

Far from assuming responsibility for using ETECSA as an instrument of repression, the regime chooses to criminalize any alternative means of connection as a political threat.

For some Cubans, however, Starlink does not represent aggression but rather an opportunity: the chance to communicate freely with the world, without censorship or state surveillance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Starlink in Cuba and the Regime's Reaction