The importance of communication in the defense of Cuba's freedom

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has just awarded Elon Musk the Order of Freedom, one of the highest honors of the Ukrainian State, in recognition, among other merits, of the role played by Starlink since the beginning of the Russian invasion. SpaceX's satellite network has allowed Ukraine to maintain essential communications when ground infrastructures have been destroyed or disrupted.

For those of us who have fought for years against a dictatorship that uses isolation and communication barriers as political weapons, this news holds a special significance.

I remember many early mornings in Santiago de Cuba waiting for the assault of the repressive forces of the Ministry of the Interior against the Patriotic Union of Cuba, UNPACU. The regime responded in this way to the growth of civic and political activism, as well as to the expansion of our humanitarian work in favor of hungry, sick, and extremely vulnerable people.

One of our greatest concerns was becoming cut off precisely when the repression began. On several occasions, they broke down doors, violently stormed in, and advanced, subjugating everything in their path. They would enter, pointing 12-gauge shotguns at me, my family members, and activists. They handcuffed us, beat us, and forcibly removed us from our homes.

In those moments, I constantly thought: if the world could see this live, it would have a much better understanding of the true nature of repression in Cuba. Documenting in real-time the violent entry of armed men against peaceful opponents would have had a tremendous international impact. But, precisely, the regime left us without internet and mobile phone service and took away phones and everything they found in their path.

A similar situation occurred during the historic protests of July 11, 2021. The brutal repression was crucial in stifling those demonstrations, but it was not the only factor. Isolation and lack of communication also played a significant role. Many of us took to the streets blindly because we were already without communication.

Protesters in one municipality could not quickly understand what was happening in another; those in one neighborhood often remained unaware that thousands of fellow citizens were simultaneously protesting in other cities and provinces. There was no reliable and stable mechanism to feed back information about the protests, share images, boost the morale of those taking to the streets, and show them that they were not alone.

Lack of communication creates uncertainty. Uncertainty breeds fear. And fear supports the dictatorship.

Therefore, Cuba urgently needs independent connectivity outside of the state monopoly of ETECSA. The United States, the European Union, and democracies committed to human rights should allocate resources and technological capacity to enhance communications for Cuba's independent civil society, journalists, human rights defenders, and citizens who wish to peacefully exercise their fundamental freedoms.

All technically viable technologies that allow for continued access to information and communications, even during power outages, selective internet cuts, or government blockades, should be studied. Starlink represents one of the technologies that demonstrates just how far independent satellite communication can reach today, independent of much of the traditional terrestrial infrastructure.

Information is power. Those who understand what is happening, who can receive and transmit information, and who maintain communication with others can act with greater confidence and determination. Those who remain isolated move forward almost blindly.

Elon Musk has made an extraordinary contribution to Ukraine's resilience with Starlink. Cubans also need solutions that allow us to break the siege of disinformation and communication blackout.

A free Cuba will know how to thank those who contribute to our people's ability to communicate freely. Elon Musk could play a historic role in that effort.