The price of international top-ups from the Telecommunications Company of Cuba S.A. (ETECSA) has sparked a new wave of outrage among the company's customers, who find a rate that values each dollar topped up on the Island at less than 25 CUP to be fictitious and extortionate.
In the midst of the deep monetary and connectivity crisis in Cuba caused by its price hike, ETECSA launched new international recharge offers that disguise an alarming reality: the company is valuing the dollar at less than 25 Cuban pesos (CUP), despite the fact that in the informal market it exceeds 375 CUP.
The publication of this news caused outrage among readers of CiberCuba, who left over 1,400 comments in less than 24 hours on this medium's Facebook account, the vast majority of which called for a boycott of the state monopoly and, by extension, the dictatorship that controls the dollarized economy in Cuba through the Business Administration Group S.A. (GAESA), which is under the control of the military and the regime's leadership.
"No to Recharges for the Dictatorship!" was the most prevalent and passionate call among the commentators, who associated, in one way or another, the company's profit motive with that of the ruling class of the regime, increasingly disconnected from the people and their needs.
In this regard, many have reported that, in addition to the extortion represented by the new rates for Cuban families, the regime seeks to limit access to the internet in the country in light of a summer that will exacerbate the energy and food crisis experienced by a population exhausted and weary of the slogans and promises of the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel.
“It is obvious that the dictatorship wants to cut off communication so that as little information as possible escapes the island”, pointed out one of the comments that generated the most responses and interactions. “This reminds me of bank heist movies. Cuba is the bank, the dictatorship are the kidnappers, the people are the hostages, and those of us living abroad are the ones who have to pay the ransom”, the user added.
"The freedom of communication is so powerful, and the dictatorship knows it. That’s why all dictators first prohibit a free press," noted an internet user. Another recommended a title that fits perfectly with the current moment: “Animal Farm”, the satire by George Orwell against totalitarian regimes.
“I am not going to send anything else”, assured dozens of emigrated Cubans who expressed the anger and pain caused by being scammed and extorted by a government that, until a few years ago, and still today, promotes a hostile rhetoric towards Cuban exiles, as well as division among Cubans into “good and bad” based on their political inclinations or denouncements of the dictatorship.
“The one who pays commands”, recalled a user sending a message that is increasingly spreading among Cubans. With a migration exodus that has significantly reduced the population, the greed of the totalitarian power in Havana is confronting a reality: the majority of the millions of Cuban emigrants are becoming more aware of their power, and voices calling for its use are growing.
The new faucet of the dictatorship –remittances, top-ups, and trips to Cuba by relatives– is at the center of millions of complaints from Cubans both on and off the Island, united by a common cry: “Enough already of financing a regime that violates our rights, that uses and manipulates us, that oppresses and extorts us”.
"Never forget all the disdain and mistreatment they endured for wanting to leave. Campaign to stop feeding the kidnappers!", pointed out an internet user. "I told my family not to send me any money. No to abuse, no to looting!", cried another, echoing a sentiment shared by many.
“It's not just about ETECSA's measures, it's the crisis that encompasses all spheres of society”, pointed out a commentator, agreeing with others who noted the multiple causes of popular discontent. “All those calamities are included in the same package and carry the same solution, brother”, replied another, suggesting that the ills of Cuba have the same root: the lack of rights and freedoms.
“They are scared because they no longer have any source of money, and they are exploiting the people”; “Ali Baba and the forty thieves”; “They want to limit the connection to the maximum so that they can't transmit anything. They are cunning, malevolent terrorists”; “What needs to be done is for no one, absolutely no one, to recharge phones in Cuba. It is a huge disrespect and an abuse”, said others.
“It requires a sacrifice that not everyone is willing to make. Zero recharges, zero remittances, zero trips, and the results will be seen immediately. And the definitive solution in six months,” remarked a commentator.
“That's right, gentlemen. No more flights. No more top-ups. That's it. Send them the money and let them negotiate on the street for credit. But do not give it to the dictatorship,” said another one of the hundreds who agreed to rebel against a tyranny that picks the pockets of its citizens, treating them like slaves, and where the corruption of rulers is increasingly shocking, as they enrich themselves and deepen inequality, injustice, and repression.
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