"If there is a crisis of that magnitude, which is not the fault of the consumer but of the company itself, then it should have started with: 'I resign,'" with that pointed statement, the Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac concluded a critique published this Sunday, where he dismantles, point by point, the speech of the president of ETECSA, Tania Velázquez, after her television appearance regarding the controversial rate hike.
After the announcement of the new prices imposed by the telecommunications monopoly of the regime, Toirac shared his analysis through his Facebook profile, in a post that blends irony, denunciation, and economic insight regarding the collapse of the sector in Cuba.
“It was mostly confirmatory”, he wrote, referring to the fact that the presentation did not provide any real news about the state of the company.
The artist reflected on several key points: from the wave of student protests and the official strategy of "protecting the university sector," to the absurdity of offering services in a currency without real value.
He also mocked the complicit silence in the public letters from the university students: “This is for it to be known that protesting is allowed,” he said sarcastically.
Toirac harshly criticized the justification of the rates in Cuban pesos when the business operates in dollars. “With 11,000 Cuban pesos, not even half a bit can be bought in the connectivity market,” he concluded.
He pointed out that the real problem lies not in the debts or intermediaries, but in the fact that "real money is negotiated and payments are made with fictitious money."
He also held the company responsible for overwhelming the service with more lines than it could support: “The overpopulation of internet users was approved by ETECSA. They signed with each user for their line. It was the company, they didn’t drop down from a kite,” he pointed out, attributing the poor quality of service to institutional greed.
Ulises Toirac's publication adds to a growing sense of public discontent following the new rate hike imposed by ETECSA, which restricts top-ups in Cuban pesos and favors packages priced in dollars.
This Sunday, the group La Leña del Humor, known for its sharp satire on Cuban reality, once again brought smiles (and reflections) with a supposed promotion of their “new show”: “Downloading with ETECSA”, a direct mockery of current connectivity prices and the technological limitations faced by Cubans.
Frequently Asked Questions about ETECSA's Rate Hike and Its Implications in Cuba
What has caused the price increase by ETECSA in Cuba?
The rate hike from ETECSA has sparked a wave of outrage and criticism both inside and outside of Cuba. The decision to limit reloads in Cuban pesos and promote packages in dollars is seen by many as a step towards the dollarization of essential services, which excludes those without access to foreign currency. This measure has been described as an abuse of power that deepens social inequality on the island.
How has the Cuban population reacted to the new ETECSA rates?
The Cuban population has reacted with outrage and rejection towards ETECSA's new rates. Both ordinary citizens and public figures have criticized the measure, pointing out that it limits access to the Internet and favors those with access to dollars. The measure has also been seen as a way to economically pressure Cubans abroad to subsidize the system.
What criticisms has Ulises Toirac made about ETECSA's management?
Ulises Toirac has harshly criticized ETECSA for its inefficient management and the new imposed tariffs. In his posts, he has pointed out the lack of real value of the Cuban peso and the contradiction of operating in dollars while justifying the tariff in national currency. Moreover, he has questioned the saturation of the service and the company's lack of responsibility in improving the quality of connectivity.
What is the Cuban government's stance on the criticisms of ETECSA?
The Cuban government, through ETECSA, has justified the measures by the need to capture foreign currency to maintain the network. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism and rejection from the population, who have criticized the lack of transparency and the social implications of the measure. The official response has been labeled as insensitive and disconnected from the real needs of the Cuban people.
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