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The economist and former professor at the University of Havana, Oscar Fernández, stated that ETECSA's rate hike seems “more and more like a plan to extinguish the nation.”
“Such a drastic price increase is unthinkable for any government that owes at least something to its voters,” wrote on Facebook the professor turned entrepreneur.
"A government that is accountable to its people, that understands the situation of its people, even while increasing rates that could accommodate some adjustments, would never have approved a measure like this, especially not in this manner," explained Fernández, who runs a family business in Havana selling dehydrated products.
"Without transforming the productive model and the underlying economic mechanism, there is no possible recovery. It is clear that we will not survive based solely on rent-seeking. This increasingly looks like a plan to extinguish the nation," he concluded.
El viernes, ETECSA limited the top-ups in Cuban pesos(CUP) a un máximo de 360 en un período de 30 días, lo que obliga a contratar paquetes de datos más grandes en dólares estadounidenses (USD) o a costos excesivos en CUP. Esta medida ha generado críticas por la exclusión de quienes no tienen acceso a divisas extranjeras.
Cubans who do not have access to dollars and cannot afford an additional 3GB for more than 3,000 CUP can only purchase a 6GB package for 360 CUP per month, which is insufficient for daily internet needs. This deepens inequality and limits connectivity for a large part of the population.
The measure has provoked widespread outrage and criticism even from within the government itself.
This Saturday, the University Student Federation (FEU) from several faculties of the University of Havana and the Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI) issued a joint statement in which they openly rejected the new rates.
In an unusually critical stance for an organization aligned with the government since the triumph of the so-called "revolution," students denounced that the so-called "tariff hike" by ETECSA restricts the fundamental right to information, education, and communication—essential pillars for their academic development.
ETECSA officials have entrenched themselves: they have stated that they listen to and consider opinions, but they defend the necessity of the rate hike.
Frequently Asked Questions about ETECSA's Rate Hike and Its Impact on Cuba
Why is ETECSA's price hike considered a serious problem for Cubans?
The rate hike by ETECSA severely limits access to the Internet by allowing only recharge amounts of up to 360 CUP within 30 days, which forces users to purchase data packages in US dollars or at excessive costs in CUP. This deepens inequality and restricts connectivity for a large portion of the population that does not have access to foreign currency.
How have the population and organizations in Cuba reacted to ETECSA's rate hike?
The measure has generated widespread outrage and criticism, even within the official ranks. The University Student Federation (FEU) and several official sectors have rejected the new rates, describing them as an attack on the fundamental right to information, education, and communication. The reaction has been particularly significant on platforms like Cubadebate, where unprecedented criticisms of the regime have been expressed.
What alternatives do Cubans have to stay connected in light of ETECSA's new restrictions?
In light of the restrictions, many Cubans turn to informal markets to purchase foreign currency credits or rely on international top-ups in dollars, euros, or MLC. This situation has created a new inequality in access to connectivity, making the Internet a privilege for those with access to foreign currencies.
What is the position of the Cuban government and ETECSA regarding the criticisms of the rate hike?
The Cuban government, through its spokespersons, has defended the measure as necessary for the sustainability of technological infrastructure. However, it has assured that they are considering the opinions of the population and coordinated actions are being implemented to address the criticisms, although the explanations have not satisfied most users.
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