In the midst of one of the largest waves of student discontent the Cuban government has faced in years, the Union of Young Communists (UJC) decided to honor the Special Troops of the Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) - known as "black wasps" - in a ceremony that has sparked concern and criticism.
At the event, announced on the organization's social media, the Mobile Brigade of Special Troops was granted the status of Always Young, highlighting "the role of young people in the defense of the homeland."
The diploma is awarded while students from various faculties of the University of Havana are staging an academic strike in protest of the so-called "tarifazo" by ETECSA which restricts national mobile data top-ups while simultaneously offering extensive plans in dollars.
Veiled message?
The simultaneous awarding of the decoration and the increasing student mobilization sends a message that many interpret as a silent warning.
While higher education students report that the rise in Internet prices undermines their right to education, the regime publicly praises military forces specialized in control and repression, known for their involvement in internal security operations.
"The new generations will not be like those troops that the government throws at the people like hungry dogs," said a Cuban emigrant in the post on Facebook from MINFAR.
"Dictatorships, when they are in danger, make it their top priority to recruit the weak-minded so that these useful fools do the work of repressing their friends, family, and acquaintances; afterward, they discard them," stated another.
A crisis of representation
The growing discontent in universities highlights a rift between political authorities and the academic community, even among sectors that have traditionally been loyal to the government.
In response to widespread outrage, ETECSA announced a partial measure: a 6 GB additional package for 360 CUP, exclusively for university students, along with free access to over 40 educational sites.
But they reject mobile data packages solely for themselves and emphasize that they are not seeking sectorial privileges, but rather social justice and equity in Internet access for all citizens.
The attempt by the national presidency of the FEU to moderate its stance and align with the government discourse sparked a massive rejection among students, who accuse their leaders of not representing their true interests.
The faculties of Psychology, Economics, Communication, and Mathematics and Computing at the University of Havana— the latter called for the strike—issued critical statements, indicating that the new fees restrict access to knowledge, deepen inequality, and adversely affect the quality of academic life.
The CUJAE also joined the protest, demanding "other, more concrete solutions in a timely and inclusive manner" and a more respectful stance from ETECSA's executives towards the public.
A widening gap
Far from calming tensions, the award to the Special Troops increases the perception that the State responds with displays of force to demands that are essentially social and educational.
Instead of opening a genuine dialogue with the university community, the UJC chooses to exalt repressive forces as role models for youth.
This act, more than a symbolic recognition, seems to be a reaffirmation of military control over civilian spaces, especially as students insist that ETECSA's measures are "harmful to the integral development of youth and society as a whole."
The contrast is striking: the young people who are protesting are the same ones that the system claims to have educated, yet it now chooses to reward those who could be used to monitor or suppress their demands.
In a university that has historically been a symbol of critical thinking and rebellion, the dictatorship now finds itself challenged by its own children. The question is no longer whether they will protest, but how power will respond. And honoring the Special Forces seems to make that clear.
Frequently asked questions about the award to Special Troops and the student strike in Cuba
Why did the UJC honor the Special Troops at this time?
The award to the Special Forces from the UJC comes at a time of significant student dissatisfaction due to the rate increase by ETECSA. Many interpret this act as a warning message to students who are protesting for their rights.
What is ETECSA's "tarifazo" and why has it generated protests?
The "tarifazo" of ETECSA refers to the new rates that limit national mobile data top-ups to 360 CUP per month, making additional packages unattainable for many. This measure has been criticized for restricting access to the internet and infringing on the rights to education and information.
How have Cuban universities reacted to the student protests?
The University of Havana has stated that it will not tolerate strikes, reaffirming its loyalty to the PCC. However, several faculties have issued critical statements regarding ETECSA's fees, demanding viable alternatives and a reconsideration of the decisions that affect students.
What role do the Special Troops play in the current context of Cuba?
The Special Troops, known as "black wasps," are a military corps specialized in control and repression, and their decoration amid student protests is seen as an reinforcement of military control over civilian spaces, rather than a dialogue with the university community.
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