The public discontent regarding the new rate hike by the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA) has reached such a level that even the state media has begun to voice criticism of the decision.
In an unusual editorial note, the newspaper from Matanzas raised concerns about the abrupt increase in prices for essential telecommunications services and urged the state-run company for more transparency and sensitivity in light of the severe economic crisis facing the population.
"Connectivity is not a luxury," the text emphasized, reflecting the growing pressure from various social sectors, including university students, artists, and regular users.
Although it justified the need for foreign currency by the state-owned enterprise and subscribed to the classic justifications of the regime regarding the "U.S. blockade," the editorial of Girón admitted that the measures adopted have generated a massive and legitimate adverse reaction.
“Following ETECSA's announcement, thousands of citizens and workers who rely on mobile phones to find clients, students who research, and family members who video call with the diaspora expressed their discontent openly. 'How can one comprehend such a figure amid an unprecedented economic crisis?' questioned Girón.”
According to the media, "in queues, on social networks, during family lunches, the big question resonates: Was such an abyssal leap necessary? Is there not a middle ground between ETECSA's financial suffocation and the economic suffocation of the users?"
"In order to accompany this process and provide accurate and truthful information to the people and users, detailed and public explanations of the investment and improvement plan are necessary, as well as information on whether an exploration of alternatives will be conducted to alleviate the impact on productive sectors and those with lower incomes," concluded the editorial
Criticism has multiplied on social media and in the press: from the University Student Federation (FEU) to representatives and spokespeople for the regime, the rejection of ETECSA's measures is widespread and reflects the discontent generated by what they consider an abusive and elitist policy.
For her part, the president of ETECSA, Tania Velázquez Rodríguez –who will appear again on television this Sunday– justified the price hike by stating that “there is a market outside of Cuba that wants to communicate with their family members” and that the company needs foreign currency to remain operational.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications of the Cuban regime, Mayra Arevich Marín, assured that opinions are “being evaluated”, without offering any concrete solutions for now.
Meanwhile, other official voices have attempted to deny the "dollarization" of ETECSA, despite the fact that the new scheme favors top-ups from abroad and limits the balance to a top-up of 360 CUP per month for contracting a package of 6 GB, which is clearly insufficient to meet daily internet needs.
The reaction on social media has been overwhelming: “They put pressure on the one inside to make the one outside pay,” summarized a user on Facebook.
Far from calming tensions, the editorial of Girón has given greater legitimacy to discontent. By calling for "management with justice, vision, and dialogue," it opens the door to a possible correction by the state-run enterprise controlled by the Group of Business Administration S.A. (GAESA).
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