The prominent Cuban writer, poet, and improvisational artist Alexis Díaz-Pimienta dedicated some verses to the rate hike imposed by the state telecommunications monopoly ETECSA.
ETECSA has limited Cuban peso (CUP) top-ups to a maximum of 360 within a 30-day period, forcing users to purchase larger data packages in U.S. dollars (USD) or face excessive costs in CUP. This measure has drawn criticism for excluding those who do not have access to foreign currencies.
Cubans who do not have access to dollars or cannot afford an extra 3GB for more than 3,000 CUP can only purchase a 6GB package for 360 CUP monthly, which is insufficient for daily internet needs. This deepens inequality and limits connectivity for a large part of the population.
This Friday, in the official program of Mesa Redonda, the president of ETECSA and another official denied that the measure aimed to dollarize the economy but acknowledged that they were taking advantage of Cuban emigrants to collect dollars.
The measure has sparked widespread outrage and even prompted criticism from within the government itself.
Below are the verses by Díaz-Pimienta, published on his Facebook page.
ETECSA of discord.
Are you a company?
CIA cover
headquartered on Concordia Street?
ETECSA of discord,
You need to loosen your arm.
Another rate hike?
What a sick obsession.
Is ETECSA becoming dollarized?
Another package deal?
When there was a connection
screaming on social media
and create national memes
it was not just fun,
It was a "decompression."
So, just one detail:
Do you want the people to explode?
and that it's your fault
what doesn't scream on social media
Go out and shout it in the street?
Give me the E: Extortion.
Give me the T: Tyranny.
Give me the E: "Epocresía."
Give me the C: Confusion.
Give me the S: Sanction.
Give me the A: I accuse, I accuse.
What does it say? Flabbergasted!
What does it say? Disconnected company!
What does it say? You pressed it, Etecsa!
What does it say? Enough with the abuse!
Give me the E: Fool's trick.
Give me the T: Teleengaño.
Give me the E: Enmaraño.
Give me the C: Conex-robos.
Give me the S: So-wolves.
Give me the A: I accuse, I accuse!
What does it say? Flabbergasted!
What does it say? Disconnected company!
What does it say? You pressed it, Etecsa!
What does it say? Enough of abuse!
In the Red Corner: ETECSA
in the Blue corner: The People.
If there's a blackout, I darken.
If there's no Siri, there's no Alexa.
Cuba, the disconnected island.
Cuba, it’s not easy, it doesn’t clear up.
It seems like something out of the underworld.
Something bad is happening.
ETECSA continues to win
with low blows and trickery.
The Cuban people are
outraged with ETECSA.
"Siri? What Siri or Alexa!?"
It's unbearable already.
The Cuban people are going
bursting with aggression.
From all corners
suffers from fraud and plunder
of ETECSA and its monopoly
of communications.
ETECSA has abused once again
of its incredible power
upon announcing since yesterday
new prices without complaint.
This is called "killing."
What do they want? More sacrifices?
Did they lose all the trials?
ETECSA announced moments ago
the exorbitant prices
of its limited services.
While in Cuba the salary
it's not enough to live on
ETECSA raises its rates again
the cost of the daily data.
Who is the clumsy businessman?
who makes such a mistake?
Doesn't he have an advisor?
Is he doing it provocatively?
ETECSA is mocking
of the working people.
Only when the boss loses
the head and does not estimate
he's making a big deal out of it in fulas,
dollars, greenback.
The same dog bites us.
The same Etecsa mania.
This is what you call added value!
They have set punitive prices,
completely inaccessible
for the vast majority.
How is it possible, sir,
that in a country of salary
insufficient and precarious,
Could such an error occur?
The working people
doesn't know what to say anymore.
How are they going to resist?
The salary he/she receives,
the remittances it receives
They are for survival!
Do you want a state-owned company?
that the working people
earned with your sweat
the digital service
at an international price?
Salaries are at rock bottom.
Our currency is in mourning.
A quality that offends.
And yet, ETECSA intends to..
impose this model?
Let's speak the truth.
These prices are outrageous
and they exclude Cubans
of connectivity.
Or is that, in fact,
the how, the why, the reason?
What a good bureaucrat he was
the one who devised by raising the arm
this new package deal
and extras in MLC?
These measures from yesterday
they are not just an insult
for a noble and cultured people:
it's an abuse of power.
What a way to mess things up.
These measures may be
they are another barrier
to divide Cubans
among wealthy citizens
(with fulas) and "the others".
And as if that weren't enough,
national packages
they also rise and in torrents:
Everything has a crazy price.
Who was the Socotroco genius?
Who did this nonsense?
Who is directing this ambush?
Isn't it counter-revolution?
boost our connection,
the megabyte, the call?
What a shameless abuse!
The digital connection
it is a global right,
not a privileged luxury.
This has been too much.
Enough of "resisting."
We cannot allow
that ETECSA continues to steal,
enriching and giving
alms to live on.
This is a battered town
due to the crisis, inflation
the blockade, the blackout
and everything that has happened.
Enough already. This is too much.
Are they CEOs or criminals?
Enough of the inappropriate actions
packets and scares.
We demand fair prices
and transparent management.
Let’s put an end to it
to these measures that cool down
the hearts and expand
social inequality.
The blockade is criminal
But this? Let's be sensible.
It's not just about the data.
It has our population
right to information
and the cessation of mistreatment
No more abuses, ETECSA.
Drop that size now!
Or it will be disconnected
your body from your head.
ETECSA, what size is ecsa?
"Dedicate a 'big respect' to yourself."
Oh look, take the plane
and go to hell.
Take advantage of this relaxation.
Use your disconnection.
Emigrate, Etecsa. Deport yourself
you yourself anywhere.
No one will be bothered.
Look, if you want, get pregnant.
Request the parole and report back.
Get away from Havana.
After all, maybe tomorrow
tell us that Donald "Trom"
It is Agent Ramón
from the Cuban KGB.
First, the arrangement.
And the bancarization.
And the dollarization.
And then the reorganization.
There hasn't been a single movement
that is not unpopular.
Do you live elsewhere?
Don't they read or watch social media?
How long do you think?
What are people going to endure?
When will we wake up?
With some good news?
How much cheating and injustice
(more) do they think we will endure?
They have gone to extremes.
Is the war against the people?
To the owners of my land
that make the trap and the law
It seems that Milei
he lent them the chainsaw.
In short, ETECSA, no.
No. We can't stand it.
We refuse. We protest.
Your domino got stuck.
ETECSA, that's it.
ETECSA, the atmosphere is unpleasant.
An imminent fight
on a disjointed billboard.
In the Red corner: ETECSA
In the Blue corner: my people.
And from Guantánamo to Pinar del Río
a whole town that shouts: I'm going to mine!
Frequently Asked Questions about the ETECSA Rate Increase in Cuba
What changes has ETECSA implemented with its recent price increase?
ETECSA has limited top-ups in Cuban pesos (CUP) to a maximum of 360 per month, which forces users to purchase larger data packages in U.S. dollars (USD). This measure has been criticized for excluding those who do not have access to foreign currency and deepening the inequality in internet access in Cuba.
How does ETECSA's price hike affect Cubans who do not receive remittances?
For Cubans who do not receive remittances or have access to dollars, connectivity is severely limited, as they can only acquire a 6 GB package for 360 CUP monthly. This package is insufficient for basic internet needs, which restricts access to information and communication.
What has been the response of the Cuban population to the new measures from ETECSA?
The Cuban population has reacted with indignation to the new measures from ETECSA, regarding them as an abuse of power and another step toward the dollarization of basic services. Criticism has been strong both on social media and in official outlets, reflecting widespread discontent, even within the government.
What arguments has ETECSA provided to justify the rate hike?
ETECSA has justified the price hike as a measure to "sustain and develop the network" and enhance new sources of income. However, many people believe that this justification is a mockery, given the history of service deficiencies and the lack of significant investments in improvements.
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