Despite the growing public discontent, the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel ruled out this Thursday suspending the increase in rates imposed by the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA), a stance that reinforces the separation between the regime and citizens' demands.
During his official podcast Desde la Presidencia, which featured the presence of ETECSA's president, Tania Velázquez, Díaz-Canel stated that "we will not give up on implementing it," because "it would mean giving up on revenue to maintain the service."
The commitment is to closely monitor the results of the measures. Allocate resources to make progress and seek to fulfill debts. Explain in detail how potential profits are being invested, the communist leader stated.
In a broadcast where it became clear that the regime demands the people to accept the rate hike without complaint, and where it was also suggested that Cubans should show gratitude, it was added that the new measures aim to prevent a technological collapse and eventually improve the quality of service.
He acknowledged that the telecommunications system is facing "a complex situation from a technological standpoint" and warned that, if current decisions are not implemented, the country would be "very close to collapse."
"When a technological collapse occurs, we will also be held accountable for not acting," he said, emphasizing the narrative of an unpopular measure presented as inevitable.
The ruler argued that the limited availability of foreign currency compromises the stability of the service and that complaints about the slow network—“the connection is impossible,” he repeated—have become part of everyday language.
Although he acknowledged that "there is never a better time for measures that take away or limit social benefits," he justified the rate hike as an essential step.
Díaz-Canel stated that it is necessary to set limits to ensure the system continues to function, but also to, in his words, "progress in the development of the system."
He described the decision as a "tactical withdrawal": "We were making progress, we need to stop, take a step back to gather what we need."
And, with the utmost cynicism, he promised that, in time, we will be able to "recover the rhythms and even surpass the rhythms we had."
Additionally, he maintained that it is not about halting digital advancement, but rather about modifying the pace.
According to him, the situation is the result of a "confluence of internal factors, but above all external and induced ones," which has made it technically unsustainable to advance at the desired pace.
He added that as these decisions "begin to take effect" and the "content of these measures is further refined," progress can be made in the digital transformation strategy, including the application of artificial intelligence in services, production, and other areas of national life.
The statements come amid widespread public rejection, following the implementation of new rates and restrictions on mobile services.
Far from providing immediate solutions, the official discourse insists once again on sacrifice as the only option, while millions of Cubans face exorbitant prices, limited access, and a digital disconnection imposed by the State.
Also this Thursday, amidst the rising public discontent over the rate increase imposed by the state-owned ETECSA, Tania Velázquez forewarned of a possible "general failure" of the national telecommunications system.
"Certain failures have been occurring in this infrastructure that lead us down a path [...] where we foresee that there may be a widespread failure at some point," said Velázquez.
According to the official, the consequences of this supposed failure would be "that we can't make phone calls, that we can't send messages, that we can't reach our educational or work centers [...]", she added, describing a scenario of almost total collapse of the telecommunications system on the island.
The podcast on Thursday, June 5, was promoted amid an indefinite academic strike led by university students, especially from the University of Havana.
The movement demands not only equitable connectivity for students but also real access for all Cubans.
The official response has been a call to "close ranks" against what the regime characterizes as a "media war" driven by "enemies of the system."
The students are even now calling for the resignation of the national president of the FEU, Ricardo Rodríguez González, accusing him of not representing student interests.
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