The electronic payment services in Cuba resumed operations this Thursday after a scheduled interruption, as part of maintenance work on the technological infrastructure of the state-owned Servicios de Pago Red S.A. (REDSA).
The entity reported that the operations concluded "successfully" and the payment channels are now functioning normally.
“All planned tasks have been completed. Payment channels are 100% active, and the increase in operations is being monitored. Customers already have access to all their accounts through the platforms operating in the country,” stated Eduardo Cubillas Jiménez, director of the Data Center and Infrastructure of REDSA.
However, the complete suspension of services, which included everything from ATMs to platforms such as EnZona and Transfermóvil, caused discomfort and suspicion among users, who are increasingly wary of these "maintenance" announcements in an environment characterized by technological and financial instability in the country.
The halt of operations occurred between midnight on Wednesday, July 30, and 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31.
During that period, electronic payments, interbank transfers, the use of point-of-sale terminals (POS), and the availability of cash through ATMs were disabled, further exacerbating the daily limitations in accessing money on the island.
REDSA justified the measure as an action to "ensure the necessary updates that guarantee the security and availability of services," although the lack of transparency regarding the technical content of the improvements and the repeated system failures prompted negative reactions on social media.
Some users interpret these technical pauses as covert maneuvers by the regime to prepare unpopular economic measures, as already happened with the rate increase imposed by ETECSA last May.
In a country where connectivity issues, cash shortages, and power outages are constant, any change in financial digital services creates significant uncertainty, especially when clear and detailed information is not provided to ensure the citizens' trust in the systems that manage their own money.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Restoration of Electronic Payments in Cuba
Why were electronic payment services interrupted in Cuba?
The state-owned company Servicios de Pago Red S.A. (REDSA) announced a "scheduled interruption" to carry out maintenance on its systems. This interruption affected services such as ATMs, the EnZona payment platform, and Transfermóvil from midnight on July 30 until 5:00 a.m. on July 31.
What impact did the interruption of electronic payment services have on the Cuban population?
The interruption caused discontent and suspicions among users, as in a context of technological and financial instability, any service disruption increases uncertainty. Cubans already face constant connectivity issues, cash shortages, and blackouts, which exacerbate everyday challenges.
How did REDSA respond to the criticisms regarding the lack of transparency in the interruptions?
REDSA justified the measure as necessary to "ensure the required updates that guarantee the security and availability of services", but the lack of technical details about the improvements has caused distrust among users, who fear that these interruptions may hide unpopular economic measures.
What suspicions do Cubans have regarding service interruptions for maintenance?
Many Cubans suspect that these interruptions could be covert maneuvers by the regime to prepare unpopular economic measures, as was already the case with the increase in ETECSA rates. The lack of clear information increases distrust towards the government's intentions.
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