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Students from the Faculty of Communication and Letters of Holguín University have joined the call for a strike against the measures imposed by ETECSA.
The Holguin faculty, which did not receive support from the FEU or the UJC of that province, has called for an "indefinite academic strike starting June 7 until the measures are revoked."
“We did not receive support from our FEU at UHo or from the UJC Holguín, so fully exercising our rights, we wrote this joint declaration,” a journalism student wrote on social media along with the issued declaration.
In their statement, the students express a strong condemnation of the measures imposed by ETECSA on May 30, which they consider an affront to "the right to education, communication, and social justice" in Cuba.
"We are not a privileged minority, we are the voice of a people tired of paying for inefficiency", they argue.
They also state that "these measures violate fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba and in international human rights treaties."
They denounce that the new restrictions - such as the limit on top-ups in CUP and the high prices of packages - exacerbate inequality and severely impact the university community.
They point out that these limitations: hinder access to international academic platforms; complicate research and communication with tutors abroad; and impose a "covert dollarization of the service."
They categorically reject any attempt to "delegitimize" their "critical thinking," and clarify that their position stems from a commitment to Cuba.
In solidarity with other faculties in the country that have taken similar measures (University of Havana, CUJAE, University of Las Villas), they demand:
-Immediate repeal of the measures from May 30.
-Improvement of the university Wi-Fi service and removal of the download limit.
-Public audit of ETECSA and transparency in the use of its revenue.
-Multidisciplinary commission to redesign connectivity policy.
-End of harassment against student demands.
They declare an indefinite academic strike starting June 7, organizing ongoing assemblies and a campaign to raise awareness of their cause.
They concluded by quoting their Mathematics and Computing classmates: "We mobilize for social justice, not for crumbs."
A continuación transcribimos, íntegramente, la JOINT STATEMENT OF THE STUDENTS OF THE FACULTY OF COMMUNICATION AND LETTERS AT HOLGUÍN UNIVERSITY
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
6:58 PM
The students of the Faculty of Communication and Letters at the University of Holguín join the national outcry of indignation in response to the measures implemented by ETECSA S.A. on May 30, 2025, which constitute a direct attack on the right to education, communication, and social justice in our country. These provisions—limiting top-ups in national currency to 360 CUP per month and mandating the purchase of packages at prices that, in the most affordable option, exceed the minimum wage by over 150%—worsen inequality and economically suffocate the university community and the Cuban people.
The restrictions hinder access to international academic platforms, research with updated bibliographies, and communication with advisors abroad, which is essential for theses and projects. The additional package of 6 GB for 360 CUP (totaling 12 GB) is insufficient and does not address the covert dollarization of the service.
We state that these measures violate fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba and in international human rights treaties. Access to information is inherent to freedom of thought, as well as individual and collective development.
We categorically reject any attempt to delegitimize our critical thinking and demands under false accusations of external manipulation. Our analysis stems from an unwavering commitment to Cuba and its people, not from external interests.
We join the faculties of the University of Havana (Mathematics and Computing, Philosophy, Psychology), CUJAE, and the University of Las Villas, which have already declared indefinite academic strikes.
We demand:
Immediate repeal of the measures from May 30 and removal of any limits on recharges.
Improve and upgrade the Wifi services in the faculties, as well as eliminate the download limit of 8 GB per user.
Audit ETECSA's finances and share the allocation of telecommunications revenue.
Creation of a multidisciplinary commission with representatives from all universities to redesign connectivity policies.
End the siege on what is an orderly, just, and legitimate demand from Cuban university students.
In support of our demands and following the example of our sister faculties, we declare:
Indefinite academic strike starting June 7, 2025, until the measures are revoked.
Permanent assemblies in our faculty to organize resistance and coordinate actions with other centers.
Widespread dissemination of this letter on social media and through all possible channels, asking for visibility and support from other sectors of society.
We are not a privileged minority; we are the voice of a people tired of paying for inefficiency. As the MATCOM students said:
"We mobilize for social justice, not for crumbs."
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