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The Cuban singer Haydée Milanés expressed her support this Wednesday for the university strike as a demonstration of rejection against the price increases imposed by the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA).
"All my support for the teachers' strike and the protest against the ETECSA rate hike from exile. #SOSCuba #SocialJustice," wrote the artist, based in Miami, United States, on her account on the social network X.
The artist, daughter of the late singer-songwriter Pablo Milanés, added in another post: “Protesting is a right. No more repression against a noble and unarmed people. #VivaCubaLibre.”
The interpreter has shown on various occasions a critical stance against the Cuban regime and has raised her voice in defense of human rights and freedom of expression on the island.
His message adds to the growing support from figures inside and outside of Cuba for the wave of peaceful protests organized by young people, teachers, and activists in response to the critical economic situation, high prices of basic services, and institutional repression.
The conflict has surpassed the boundaries of access to technology and has turned into an open dispute over youth representation in Cuba.
On June 3rd, the Faculty of Philosophy, History, Sociology, and Social Work (FEU-FHS) of the University of Havana (UH) issued an unprecedented statement in which it demanded the immediate resignation of the national president of the University Student Federation (FEU), Ricardo Rodríguez González, as it deemed him unable to represent the interests of the student body during the current crisis.
The students also reported a lack of clear responses from the company’s management following a meeting with university authorities, and demanded the complete reversal of the measures or, at the very least, the elimination of the limit of 360 CUP for monthly top-ups.
In a country where the youth has historically been instrumentalized as a pillar of political legitimacy, the questioning of the leadership of the FEU presents an unprecedented challenge.
For the first time in years, students from a prestigious faculty like Humanities are publicly demanding the resignation of their highest representative, who is now also a member of the State Council chaired by Miguel Díaz-Canel.
While other faculties continue to join the opposition to the rate hike and critical voices grow both inside and outside the University of Havana, the national leadership of the FEU is facing an unprecedented crisis of authority and trust.
The future of this confrontation remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the new generation of students is willing to defend their rights and their voice, even if that means challenging those who, until now, have spoken on their behalf with words dictated by the power of the totalitarian regime.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Student Protests in Cuba and the Support of Haydée Milanés
Why does Haydée Milanés support the university strike in Cuba?
Haydée Milanés supports the university strike in Cuba as a demonstration against the price hike imposed by ETECSA. The artist has spoken out against the rate increase and has expressed her support for the protests organized by youth, professors, and activists in response to the economic situation and repression on the island. Milanés, based in Miami, has used her social media platforms to denounce the repression and defend the right to peaceful protest.
What is the main cause of the student protests in Cuba?
The student protests in Cuba are mainly driven by the new fees imposed by ETECSA. These measures limit national top-ups to 360 CUP per month and require the purchase of additional packages in foreign currency. Students believe that these fees hinder access to education and deepen inequality, leading to a massive mobilization for social justice and the right to access information.
What demands are students making in their protests against ETECSA?
The students demand the complete revocation of ETECSA's tariff measures or at least the removal of the 360 CUP limit for monthly top-ups. They also request a transparent dialogue with the authorities to seek real solutions, and the inclusion of student technical proposals in decision-making. Additionally, they demand the resignation of the national president of the FEU, Ricardo Rodríguez González, for his inability to represent student interests.
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