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The Estonian e-Government Academy (eGA) decided to freeze the supply of technological equipment planned for the "Cuba Digital" project, an initiative funded by the European Union to modernize Cuba's public administration.
The measure represents a setback to one of the most controversial cooperation programs developed in recent months towards the island.
The decision was made in coordination with the EU delegation in Havana and comes after weeks of political debate in Estonia regarding the scope and the implications of providing technical support to a state governed by a communist regime accused of serious human rights violations and close collaboration with Russia.
The communications specialist at the Academy of Electronic Government, Anu Wahtra-Hellat, explained the context of the measure and clarified the entity's position.
"The Electronic Government Academy will complete the tender for the acquisition of equipment, as required by public procurement laws. However, these devices will not be supplied to Cuba at this time. We will wait for better times in Cuba," said in statements reported by a local media outlet from Estonia.
Additionally, he noted that Cuba is facing "a very serious crisis in many aspects."
The bid amounted to 441,000 euros for the purchase of information and communication technology (ICT) equipment. Three organizations submitted offers.
A decision that transcends the technical
The chairman of the Academy's board, Hannes Astok, clarified that the suspension was not a direct consequence of the recent visit by the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), although the issue was discussed during that meeting.
According to Astok, the decision was made last week during discussions with the EU delegation and project partners.
He also emphasized that "the parliamentary committees of Estonia do not make decisions regarding the activities of private law organizations," referring to the formal autonomy of the entity.
During the meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Academy presented a review of its more than 20 years of work in creating open information societies in over 140 countries, with an emphasis on projects in Ukraine, Moldova, and Montenegro, although the situation in Cuba was also discussed.
The controversy in the Estonian Parliament
In January, when the tender for 441,000 euros for Cuba was made public, the project sparked intense discussions in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu.
The president of that committee, Deputy Marko Mihkelson, was one of the most critical voices. In his opinion, aid programs to Cuba should be re-evaluated in light of the new international context following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Mihkelson warned that “the impact intended to be achieved with this project would not benefit the Cuban people, but rather the regime”, and questioned whether the digitization of the State, under the current conditions on the island, would actually help to open up society or improve citizen access to public services.
The legislator also noted that Cuba actively supports Moscow and went so far as to compare the regime in Havana with other authoritarian allies of Russia, such as North Korea and Iran.
In the same vein, Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, announced that his country would formally request the European Union to review its policy towards Cuba and increase pressure on the Cuban government.
Tsahkna recalled that Estonia has already changed its stance at the United Nations and has stopped supporting resolutions calling for the lifting of the U.S. embargo, citing reasons such as the repression following the protests on July 11, 2021, restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and the increasing cooperation between Havana and Russia and Belarus, including in defense matters.
"Cuba Digital": Modernization or reinforcement of state control
The "Cuba Digital" project began in 2024 and is based on the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement signed in 2016 between the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Cuba, which laid the groundwork for the modernization of Cuban public administration.
In total, the European Union allocates around 3 million euros to the initiative, led by the e-Governance Academy of Estonia, with the declared aim of modernizing public management and facilitating access to online services.
Spain is one of the main drivers of the program and contributes 2.3 million euros through FIIAPP.
This organization, which has a presence in over 120 countries, is collaborating with Spanish agencies such as the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Public Function, Red.es, and the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures on a project scheduled to run until July 2028.
According to its promoters, "Cuba Digital" aims to enhance data interoperability, ensure security in the exchange of public information, and develop government service portals.
As a background, the creation of the portal Cubagob.cu is mentioned, inspired by the Estonian digital system Eesti.ee.
Nevertheless, the initiative has been surrounded by questioning from the beginning.
The medium ERR cited the report “Freedom on the Net 2024” by Freedom House, which states that Cuba scored only 20 out of 100 points in digital freedom. The report emphasizes the barriers to internet access, content censorship, and the violation of users' rights.
Freedom House reported that the Cuban government "prohibits political pluralism, censors independent media, and represses basic freedoms," a context that raises doubts about whether technological modernization can lead to greater transparency and citizen access or, conversely, strengthen state control mechanisms.
Even the executive director of eGA, Hannes Astok, acknowledged that the implementation of the project faces significant obstacles, such as frequent power outages, an eight-hour time difference between Estonia and Cuba, and language barriers.
The freezing of equipment supply marks a significant turning point in a project that, until just a few weeks ago, was progressing despite criticism.
Although the bidding will formally continue due to legal requirements, the political message is clear: Estonia does not consider this to be the right time to deepen technological cooperation with the Cuban state.
The decision comes in a context of increasing European scrutiny regarding relations with Havana, particularly due to its alignment with Russia and the decline of civil liberties on the island.
Estonia has chosen to freeze the project and wait for, in its own words, “better times in Cuba.”
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