A student from the University of Medical Sciences of Las Tunas publicly reported the harassment she has been subjected to by agents of the Technical Investigations Department (DTI) of MININT, following her participation in the protests against the recent tariff increase imposed by the company ETECSA.
"I don't want any more DTI people in my house," she asserted firmly during a university meeting, in a video that has begun to circulate on social media and independent media.
The young woman, whose identity has not been revealed, reported that officials from the DTI visited her home without prior notice or justification, intimidating her family.
"Which DTI official is going to pay my mother?" she questioned while listing the potential emotional and physical harm that these visits could cause to her family. "If something happens to my mother, which DTI official will pay for her?"
The testimony was supported by another student who claimed that this is not an isolated case, but rather a repressive pattern that has already affected several students.
"They have said that we are being paid from abroad to do things, which is not true," he declared.
Silencing discontent with repression
The case arises amid a climate of increasing student unrest over ETECSA's new fees, which limit users to a single monthly top-up in Cuban pesos and prioritize offers in U.S. dollars, in a country where most citizens do not have regular access to foreign currency.
The disproportionate increase in mobile data costs has ignited a wave of discontent that has spread across universities throughout the country.
Far from listening to the demands of the students, the government has chosen to hound and monitor those who dare to raise their voices.
According to the girl from Las Tunas, she has been accused of being "counter-revolutionary" and a "leader," and they even threatened her with losing her specialty after six years of study.
"The high authorities say it is prophylaxis. For me, as a university student in the field of Medicine, prophylaxis would be my higher-ups at my university, along with my representation from the FEU, not someone from the DTI," she emphasized.
The recording, which was obtained and published by Martí Noticias, showcases the courage of the youth in the face of the regime's repressive actions.
"Any reprisals taken against me, as they have already occurred, will escalate to a national level," warned the future doctor.
University authorities—unless there are exceptions—have not protected their students; instead, they have taken on an ambiguous, if not complicit, role in this campaign of intimidation, which highlights the lack of autonomy in educational institutions and the direct interference of the state's repressive apparatus in academic spaces.
ETECSA, a symbol of a deeper crisis
The outrage against ETECSA is not confined to classrooms. On social media, the state-owned company has faced fierce criticism for the constant decline in service, the imposition of fees in foreign currency, the lack of transparency, and the digital exclusion it creates.
The repression against university students is a symptom of a system that can no longer hide its fear of losing control.
The phrase from the student from Tunera - "I don’t want any more DTI people in my house" - has gone viral as a protest slogan, which could mark a new chapter in the awakening of citizen consciousness in Cuba, driven by a generation that has chosen to speak out, even if it means confronting the state's repressive apparatus.
Frequently asked questions about the ETECSA rate hike and student repression in Cuba
Why are Cuban students protesting against ETECSA?
Students protest against ETECSA's rate hike because the new tariffs limit access to mobile internet in Cuban pesos and transfer the rest of the consumption to payments in foreign currency, making the service unattainable for most people. They believe that these measures increase social inequality and restrict their right to information, education, and communication.
What kind of reprisals do students who protest in Cuba face?
Students who are protesting have faced pressure from the authorities, receiving intimidation and surveillance from the Technical Research Department (DTI) of MININT. They have also been accused of being "counter-revolutionaries" and are threatened with losing their university specialties. Cubalex has reported that students and their families have received intimidating calls and have been summoned by the Revolutionary National Police.
What impact does ETECSA's rate hike have on Cuban society?
The ETECSA rate hike deepens social inequality in Cuba by turning internet access into a privilege for those with access to foreign currency. The new rates hinder communication, access to information, and education, limiting personal and professional development opportunities for many citizens. Furthermore, this measure is perceived as a tool for social control and economic repression.
What actions are Cuban students taking to face ETECSA's fees?
Students have organized academic strikes and have issued public statements rejecting ETECSA's rate hike. They demand fair tariffs and equitable access to the internet as a universal right and not a privilege. They have expressed their willingness to engage in dialogue with the authorities, but they have also made it clear that they will continue their protests until their demands are addressed.
What has been the international reaction to the student protests in Cuba?
The international reaction has been supportive of the student demands, with media from Europe, Latin America, and Asia covering the issue and highlighting the growing social inequality in Cuba. The protests have been seen as an unprecedented and significant movement that reflects social discontent on the island. The topic has garnered global attention, projecting the image of a Cuba that is more restricted and disconnected.
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