Art History students currently in their third and fourth year at the Universidad de Oriente publicly rejected the measures imposed by the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA), stating that they will not accept "crumbs" that benefit only a few.
In a statement circulated on social media on the morning of this Sunday, more than half of the Art History students expressed their decision to join the demand of other university students in the country against the monopoly of communications in Cuba and stated that they were not being manipulated by any external media.
In the text, they deemed the measures to restrict domestic top-ups as an "outrage," and ETECSA's alternatives to provide Wi-Fi and data to students only benefit a select few.
"These measures are an affront to our right to communication, which is why we demand the repeal of these measures. We will not settle for the crumbs that may be offered to a small sector of the population, as they only benefit a tiny minority, thus creating social inequality—something that the ideology of our country does not promote and for which we have always advocated: social equality and the absence of class distinction," they wrote.
The text emphasizes that their only desire, as students, is to continue studying in the country without obstacles or difficulties.
At the end, they issued an ultimatum to the company to revoke the measures and threatened to join the university strike called by the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing at UH if no response was given within five days.
"We demand a clear and satisfactory response to our requests, with concrete solutions within a strict deadline of five days (by June 13, 2025). If a favorable response is not obtained within this timeframe, we will irrevocably join the UNIVERSITY STRIKE called by the MATCOM Faculty of the University of Havana on June 4, 2025," they warned.
Students from several faculties across the country have spoken out against ETECSA's rate hike, as they believe that the new fees severely restrict their opportunities. They argue that the increased costs of digital services limit their academic and professional activities.
The student movement demands fairer rates and equitable access to information and communication technologies, as the new measures have drastically increased mobile data service costs, hindering the fulfillment of their academic responsibilities.
We hereby reproduce the statement in full:
UNIVERSIDAD DE ORIENTE
Santiago de Cuba, June 8, 2025
Nosotros, más del 50 % de los estudiantes de Historia del Arte que actualmente cursan tercer y cuarto año en la Universidad de Oriente, nos unimos hoy a los otros universitarios del país que expresan su dissatisfaction with the measures implemented by the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA) el 30 de mayo de 2025. Aclaramos que no estamos siendo manipulados por ningún medio externo; solo somos jóvenes detrás de un sueño: el de ser profesionales.
Citando lo dicho por Martí y luego plasmado en la Constitución de la República dentro del Artículo 1: "Con todos y para el bien de todos", pero no todos gozan de las recargas del exterior, y solo ese porcentaje de la población es al que ETECSA favorece con sus nuevas medidas. Otros We receive the top-ups through the efforts of our parents, que, haciendo uso de Transfermóvil, nos envían dinero al celular. ¿En qué estadísticas se basaron para implantar estas medidas? El consumo de redes móviles en la población excede los 8 GB, y es mucho más en los estudiantes, quienes reciben bibliografías, envían trabajos y tienen como principal vía para buscar información el internet, debido a que en las bibliotecas o servicios que presta la universidad solo hay información insuficiente y obsoleta. Hablamos por muchos de nosotros que están trabajando en sus tesis, y el 90% de la información se encuentra en plataformas digitales.
Our current curriculum promotes self-management of knowledge. In the classrooms, they provide the basics as a guide for students to begin their search and enrich their understanding. But how can we access this information? Students studying far from home, how will we communicate with our families? Because if we allocate the data, which remains insufficient, only to study-related topics, we won't be able to communicate with them. The pursuit of information and communication is also a "Right of the people."
En la reunión que sostuvo ETECSA con nuestra facultad, no encontramos respuestas; solo se redundó en lo dicho anteriormente en los medios de comunicación. Se acusó a ETECSA de promover el mercado informal en cuanto a la venta de saldo, pues360 pesos of balance cost 1500 pesos. Otro planteamiento fue que Fidel, al inicio de la Revolución, planteó que hasta la más mínima ley que se aprobara debía ser consultada con el pueblo, y esto no se cumplió. Como se mencionó anteriormente, ninguno tuvo respuesta, lo que nos lleva a creer que estas reuniones no son más que pantallas para hacernos creer que tomarán en cuenta nuestras peticiones y al final no lo harán.
Estas medidas son an assault on our right to communication, por lo cual exigimos la derogación de dichas medidas. No nos conformamos con las migajas que puedan ser ofrecidas a un sector pequeño de la población, dado que solo favorecen a una pequeña minoría, causando así una desigualdad social, aspecto que la ideología de nuestro país no promueve y por el que siempre se ha abogado: una igualdad social y la no diferencia de clases.
Pedimos además que no minimicen nuestra voz, que escuchen el clamor del futuro de este país y que tomen medidas en consecuencia a nuestras peticiones. We are not against any party nor do we insult leaders; solo seguimos el ejemplo de Mella, Guiteras y Villena, estudiantes como nosotros que lucharon por sus derechos. Allí fue donde empezó todo: en las universidades.
Nosotros,the new generation emerging amid challenges y se rodea de muchos sinsentidos de pertenencia y sin deseos de plantar raíces en este país, solo pedimos que nos permitan seguir estudiando sin más trabas ni dificultades. Queremos seguir creyendo que la universidad es para todos, no solo para quienes reciban recargas del exterior.
A través de este documento, manifestamos nuestro firme apoyo a las facultades que ya han alzado su voz, pues compartimos plenamente sus demandas. Exigimos una respuesta clara y satisfactoria a nuestras peticiones, with concrete solutions within a strict deadline of five days(hasta el 13 de junio de 2025). De no obtenerse una respuesta favorable en dicho plazo, sumaremos irrevocablemente al PARO UNIVERSITARIO convocado por la Facultad de MATCOM de la Universidad de La Habana el pasado 4 de junio de 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions about Student Protests and ETECSA's Price Hike in Cuba
Why do the students at the University of Oriente reject the new ETECSA rates?
Students reject the new ETECSA rates because they believe they restrict their right to communication and only benefit a small minority who can receive top-ups from abroad. They argue that these measures increase social inequality and hinder their academic and professional activities by limiting access to online educational resources.
What actions are students taking in response to the rate increase by ETECSA?
Students have issued statements on social media, demanding the repeal of the measures and threatening to join the university strike called by the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing at the University of Havana if ETECSA does not respond to their demands within five days. They have also reported that the current measures promote inequality and were not consulted with the people.
What has been the response of ETECSA and the authorities to the protests?
So far, neither ETECSA nor the authorities have made clear public statements in response to the protests. The meetings with the company have been criticized for their lack of concrete answers and for focusing on technical explanations without addressing the social impact of the measures. Students continue to demand genuine dialogue and fair solutions.
How have student protests against ETECSA spread in Cuba?
Protests have rapidly increased, spreading to various faculties and universities across the country. Faculties such as Mathematics and Computing, Philosophy, History, Sociology, and Social Work have joined the opposition to the fees, calling for academic strikes and demanding the resignation of student leaders whom they consider incapable of representing their interests. The University Student Federation has also criticized the measures and called for their review.
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