The official spokespersons for the program "Con Filo" threatened to cancel their live videos on social media due to new measures from the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA), which restrict mobile top-ups in Cuban pesos.
From the space La Correspondencia, the spokespeople Michel Torres Corona and Gabriela Fernández Álvarez, who lead the propaganda for the regime, the young people, amidst laughter, mentioned that it could be the last live broadcast due to the new rate increase by ETECSA.
"We're back here again in a live broadcast, La Correspondencia, the live segment of Con Filo, and as we mentioned in the announcement, enjoy it because it might be the last one," said Corona, without specifically stating what he was referring to.
"We will have to analyze, with the recent news, how we will be able to do", insisted the spokesperson, in an obvious mockery, when the regime has funded the program and the drivers' trips to manipulate the people."
Dozens of internet users commented on Corona's words in the program, which aimed to defame the Head of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, Mike Hammer, and to deny the existence of a dictatorship in the country.
"What a waste of time... They reduced the data for this nonsense", wrote a person.
Others retorted that it was a program made up of lies to discredit those who oppose the regime.
"You in Cuba do not respect either freedom of expression or the dignified life of a human being, what are you talking about?" another one stated.
The ETECSA rate hike has severely restricted the use of the Cuban peso for mobile top-ups, imposing a maximum of 360 CUP per month and promoting packages in dollars.
This will make access to the Internet and mobile phone services increasingly more expensive and inaccessible for the population that does not receive remittances, deepening economic inequality and limiting connectivity for a large portion of Cubans.
The president of ETECSA, Tania Velázquez, justified the measure by the need to inject foreign currency into the company, which is facing significant debt.
The decision aims to maintain current services and to tap into a market outside of Cuba that is interested in communicating with their relatives.
The price hike by the ETECSA monopoly has caused an immediate backlash among the Cuban population, which has seen internet and mobile phone access becoming increasingly expensive and inaccessible.
Many social media users described the measures as "armed robbery," reporting that the new plans in CUP exceed even the minimum monthly salary on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about ETECSA's New Rate Hike in Cuba
What does the new rate hike by ETECSA mean for Cubans?
The new rate hike by ETECSA limits top-ups in Cuban pesos (CUP) to a maximum of 360 CUP per month, forcing users to purchase more expensive data packages in US dollars (USD). This deepens economic inequality and limits connectivity for those who do not receive remittances, making access to the Internet and mobile phone services increasingly unaffordable for most of the Cuban population.
Why has ETECSA implemented these new tariff measures?
The president of ETECSA, Tania Velázquez, justified the measure by the need to inject foreign currency into the company due to high indebtedness. ETECSA has lost more than 60% of its external revenues due to fraud in international top-ups, which has affected its financial situation. The company aims to attract foreign currency from the market of Cuban emigrants to sustain its services.
How does the tariff increase affect the population without access to dollars?
The rate hike severely impacts the population that does not have access to foreign currency, as the plans in CUP are excessively expensive and even exceed the monthly minimum wage on the island. This leaves many Cubans with virtually no affordable options to connect to the Internet, deepening the digital and social divide in the country.
What has been the response of the Cuban population to these measures?
The response has been one of rejection and outrage. Many Cubans view the measures as a "armed robbery" and a legalized scam that increases economic inequality. The population has expressed its frustration on social media, labeling the measure as a direct assault on their quality of life and access to information.
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