The model and influencer Diliamne Jouve González, better known as La Dura, urged the Cuban community abroad not to send more top-ups as a way to oppose the rate increase imposed by the state monopoly ETECSA.
“I am calling on Cuban influencers to support the decision our brothers are making who are inside the island, in light of the recent increase in prices in USD by ETECSA,” the model begins saying in an Instagram story.
"They are asking that no one else send remittances to Cuba in order to put pressure on the government and make them understand once and for all the abuse they inflict on Cubans," he stated.
La Dura also urged Cuban influencers not to “play both sides.”
"You can't claim to support freedom while promoting services that sustain a system many have fled (dictatorship)," he said.
"Being neutral on issues that affect the lives of millions is not an option," he added.
On Friday, the Cuban state telecommunications monopoly ETECSA dollarized its main mobile internet services and drastically limited access in national currency.
The measure, which many consider an act of social exclusion and a form of economic coercion, has been harshly criticized by both citizens on the Island and Cubans in exile.
"I will not accept that they put a damn peso in my name to ETECSA. I don't want top-ups. I want ETECSA to starve, even if I never use a cellphone again," stated lawyer Manuel Viera on Facebook.
Viera described ETECSA as an "anti-people" company in an "anti-people" economy, designed exclusively for those who have access to dollars, while the average Cuban struggles to survive amid blackouts, scarcity, and misery.
"We need a Cuba designed for the Cuban on the inside, the one who suffers and no longer wants to work," he stated.
Two days after the strong public backlash against the measures, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel broke his silence on social media with a brief thread on X (formerly Twitter), where he promised explanations and assured that the government has taken vulnerable sectors into account.
Frequently Asked Questions about ETECSA's Price Hike and Its Impact on Cuba
What measures has ETECSA taken and why are they so controversial?
ETECSA has dollarized its main mobile internet services and has limited top-ups in local currency to a maximum of 360 CUP per month. These measures have been criticized as an act of social exclusion and economic coercion, as they favor those who have access to dollars while leaving the majority of Cubans who do not receive remittances sidelined.
How does this ETECSA policy affect Cubans on the island?
The new policy drastically limits internet access for most Cubans, as the prices in CUP for data packages are unaffordable for those without access to foreign currency. This increases inequality, as only those receiving assistance from abroad can stay connected, adversely affecting access to information, education, and digital work.
What has been the response of the Cuban community to ETECSA's rate hike?
The response has been one of widespread rejection both inside and outside the island. Many Cubans have called for a boycott of international top-ups as a form of protest, aiming to pressure the government through its dependence on dollar income from these top-ups. Memes and critical comments on social media have also been a way to express popular discontent.
Why does ETECSA justify these measures, and what are its arguments?
ETECSA claims that the measures are necessary to "enhance new sources of income" and support the development of the telecommunications network. However, these justifications have been met with skepticism by many Cubans, who see them as an excuse to mask the inefficiency of the service and the perpetuation of economic and digital inequality.
Filed under: