The University Student Federation (FEU) of the "Marta Abreu" Central University of Las Villas (UCLV) has issued a statement affirming that its priority is to "maintain calm" within the university campus, amid the growing discontent expressed by a group of students regarding the increased fees imposed by the state telecommunications company, ETECSA.
The statement from the student organization comes after days of tensions caused by recent announcements from ETECSA, whose measures have sparked strong opposition among university students.
The situation gained greater public visibility after Professor Alina Bárbara López shared a public statement on social media signed by students from UCLV, denouncing what they consider a series of institutional injustices.
In its statement, shared via Facebook, the FEU Council of UCLV emphasized that, in light of the current "complex national context," spaces for dialogue have been created with representatives from ETECSA to gather "the concerns, suggestions, and opinions" of the student body.
According to their explanation, young leaders and students from various fields have participated in these meetings.
“Our FEU Council has taken the lead in all areas, gathering the concerns and proposals of the students,” they assured. They also stated that the relevant authorities are already evaluating the received requests.
The organization rejected what it termed a "media bombardment" on social networks against university institutions and denounced "manipulations of reality" aimed—according to them—at discrediting the position of the FEU. "The preservation of tranquility will always remain an unbreakable duty," they declared.
This statement seems to respond to the declaration published by Professor López, which, signed by a group of students, presents a different perspective.
The text, dated June 10 and titled “Public Declaration by a Segment of the Student Community of the UCLV”, denounces “serious contradictions between the proclaimed principles and the actions taken by the authorities”.
Among the prominent accusations are institutional censorship in university media such as Radio UCLV and Criollito; complicity of student representation, accusing the president of the FEU of failing to consult students before supporting the rate hike; lack of transparency in dialogues with ETECSA; criminalization of peaceful protest, with security agents present on campus; and institutional clientelism, accusing authorities of rewarding students who report dissident activities.
Students are demanding the immediate suspension of the new fees, the removal of censorship, the withdrawal of repressive forces from the campus, and the formation of an independent commission to investigate the alleged abuses.
The situation has sparked polarized reactions on social media. Users like the writer Víctor M. Dueñas have been harsh on the FEU: “For decades, the FEU has ceased to represent the student body and has become an arm of control for Castro's regime,” he wrote.
Others question the validity of the "nation project" promoted by the institutions, considering it a contradiction to the university reality.
What began as a protest against decisions made by a state-owned company has escalated into a national debate on representation, civil rights, and freedom of expression within university spaces.
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