The recent decision by ETECSA to limit top-ups in Cuban pesos to 360 CUP per month and promote data packages in dollars has sparked a wave of outrage among the population.
As Cuba faces an unprecedented economic crisis, characterized by blackouts, food shortages, and a growing dollarization of basic services, the measure - which further increases the cost of internet access - has been described as a "digital apartheid" by various sectors of Cuban society.
In this context, Sandro Castro, grandson of the late dictator Fidel Castro, has sparked controversy once again by posting a video on social media, where, under his character "Vampirach," he is seen extravagantly pouring Cristal beer and carelessly using mobile data.
While the majority of Cubans struggle to afford basic services, Sandro flaunts an extravagant and provocative lifestyle, facing no consequences or reprimands from the enforcers trained by his grandfather to deal with the "daddy's boys."
Sandro's attitude contrasts with the reality of millions of Cubans who see access to the internet as an essential tool for communicating with family abroad, staying informed, and coping with the difficult situation in the country.
The new policy of ETECSA not only restricts this access but also widens the gap between those who can afford services in dollars and those who depend exclusively on the devalued Cuban peso.
Reactions have been swift. University students, artists, and ordinary citizens have expressed their rejection of ETECSA's measures and the latest nonsense from Sandro Castro, which adds to a long history of mockery and provocations against the Cuban people.
The University Student Federation of the University of Havana issued a joint statement where they openly rejected the new rates, denouncing that the so-called "tarifazo" by ETECSA restricts the fundamental right to information, education, and communication, essential pillars for their academic development.
Despite the widespread discomfort, Cuban authorities have defended the new rates as necessary for the sustainability of the telecommunications infrastructure. The Minister of Telecommunications, Mayra Arevich Marín, justified the recent imposition of ETECSA's rate hike and stated that opinions against it are being considered.
In this scenario, Sandro Castro has become a symbol of the disconnection between the ruling elite and the needs of the Cuban people. His behavior, far from being sanctioned, appears to be promoted by a corrupt system that prioritizes loyalty to the totalitarian power over the well-being of the citizens.
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