The Cuban regime announced this Thursday a special episode of the presidential podcast “Desde la Presidencia”, in which Miguel Díaz-Canel will address the unpopular rate increase imposed by the state-owned ETECSA in a "critical" manner, amid a growing wave of citizen outrage, highlighted by academic protests from university students.
The broadcast, titled “ETECSA Measures: A Critical Analysis with Díaz-Canel,” will air this Thursday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. during the Mesa Redonda program, through Cubavisión, Radio Rebelde, Canal Caribe, and government digital channels.
According to the announcement, the program will include the participation of the president of ETECSA, Tania Velázquez, and the deputy minister of Communications, Ernesto Rodríguez Hernández, who will join the leader in reviewing the “causes, consequences, and perspectives” of the controversial measures.
The announcement of the program comes four days after Díaz-Canel broke his silence on social media regarding ETECSA's measures, which many Cubans have described as a “armed robbery”.
In a brief thread on X (formerly Twitter), the leader acknowledged the public discontent and promised explanations, although his message was perceived as belated and evasive.
"We have been attentive to the opinions, criticisms, and dissatisfaction of our people regarding the measures announced by ETECSA,” wrote on Sunday, June 1, amid a wave of criticism that included voices from the government side such as the University Student Federation (FEU) and media figures of the regime.
Díaz-Canel justified the decisions by citing the country's difficult economic situation and the U.S. embargo, and asserted that the government is working on "options" for vulnerable sectors, such as students, although he did not provide specific details or implementation dates.
Amid a call to "close ranks"
The presidential intervention occurs as university students from various provinces, led by students from the University of Havana, are on an indefinite academic strike against ETECSA's restrictions, which limit access to the internet in local currency and promote services in foreign currencies.
The government, instead of addressing the demands, responded with a call to “close ranks”, accusing the students of being manipulated by "enemies of the system." In a message published on Wednesday, Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the Communist Party, denounced a supposed “media war” and called to contain what he defined as an attempt to fracture the stability of the country.
The FEU and the Union of Communist Youth (UJC) have also intensified their rhetoric, but this authoritarian shift has sparked more outrage: the protesters are now calling for the
Packages in dollars and digital exclusion
Among the most unpopular measures is the limitation of top-ups to 360 CUP per month, while new data packages exceed 11,000 CUP, which is equivalent to several minimum wages. At the same time, ETECSA is promoting plans in US dollars, accessible only with international cards or through the MiTransfer Wallet.
As a palliative gesture, ETECSA offered an additional 6 GB and free access to educational sites, but students find this insufficient. They demand equitable access to the internet for all Cubans, not just university students.
Frequently Asked Questions about the ETECSA Rate Hike and Reactions in Cuba
What measures has ETECSA taken that have generated so much discontent?
ETECSA has imposed a monthly reload limit of 360 CUP and has prioritized new packages in dollars, which has sparked outrage due to being unaffordable for most Cubans. The larger plans are now only available in USD, excluding those who do not have access to remittances or income in foreign currency.
How have Cuban students reacted to ETECSA's price hike?
The students have called for academic strikes and issued protest statements, demanding the repeal of the measures or, at the very least, adjustments that consider their needs. Departments such as Mathematics and Computing have led indefinite strikes, and the University Student Federation has openly criticized the fees, demanding universal access to the internet.
What has been the Cuban government's response to the crisis generated by ETECSA?
The government, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel, has promised explanations and future adjustments, although their responses have been perceived as delayed and evasive. Díaz-Canel has justified the measures by citing the country's economic situation and the U.S. embargo, but has not offered concrete solutions. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero has also announced adjustments to mitigate the impact on specific sectors.
Why is the FEU accused of not adequately representing students?
The FEU has been criticized for aligning with the official discourse and failing to defend the real interests of the students. Its shift towards supporting institutional dialogue after initially criticizing ETECSA's rates has generated distrust and accusations of opportunism. Students from various faculties have demanded the resignation of its president for not representing their interests during this crisis.
Filed under:
