The Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, announced this Monday that adjustments will be made to the controversial rate hike by the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA) to "reduce the impact on certain sectors," particularly the student population.
The information was provided by Marrero himself in a thread posted on his official X account (formerly Twitter), where he stated that "listening to the people, addressing their demands, explaining, and finding solutions together has always been and will always be a practice of the Revolution."
According to the head of government, several state bodies, in coordination with local authorities, have been working to find alternatives to alleviate the consequences of the measures adopted by ETECSA, particularly highlighting students as a priority group.
“All of this will be discussed in today's Round Table,” Marrero announced, without yet specifying what the adjustments entail or when they would be implemented.
The announcement comes after a weekend marked by a wave of outrage following ETECSA's "tariff hike," the sole telecom provider in the country, communicated on Friday, May 30. The measure, which limits top-ups in Cuban pesos (CUP) to just 360 CUP monthly and prioritizes new packages in dollars (USD), was met with unusual virulence even in official spaces like Cubadebate.
The discomfort has also highlighted the deep contrast between the actual earnings of the population and the new connectivity costs: a 15 GB plan costs 11,760 CUP, more than five times the minimum monthly salary (2,100 CUP), while a package of only 4 GB in USD costs 10 dollars, accessible only to those who have international cards or balance in Monedero MiTransfer.
In response to the outburst of criticism, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel broke his silence on Sunday with a brief thread on X, where he promised future explanations and assured that options had been considered for the "most vulnerable sectors," including students. However, his intervention was perceived as late and evasive.
"We are aware of the criticisms and dissatisfaction of the people," he wrote, again appealing to the embargo as an excuse, but without providing a clear explanation for the increases or the actual compensation mechanisms.
What truly marked a turning point was the reaction from sectors close to the government. The University Student Federation (FEU), the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS), and individuals historically aligned with the regime's decisions publicly expressed their concern about the impact of the measure.
Marrero himself was the one who informed, in December 2024, before the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP), about the increase in rates as a strategy to “capture more foreign currency” amid the severe economic crisis facing the country.
At that moment, the Prime Minister stated that, due to the popularization of packages in national currency (MN), foreign currency services had lost their appeal, which led the government to redesign its trade policy to encourage the influx of dollars. "From now on, those who want to spend more will have to pay a different price," Marrero declared, causing widespread backlash on social media.
In addition to the new rates, the government announced the creation of exclusive packages in foreign currency, the incorporation of roaming charges in foreign currency, and the design of additional services to generate revenue, although no specific details regarding prices or implementation dates were provided.
Frequently Asked Questions about ETECSA's Rate Adjustment in Cuba
Why has ETECSA increased the rates and limited the top-ups in Cuban pesos?
ETECSA has increased rates and limited recharges in Cuban pesos to attract more foreign currency, promoting the use of packages in U.S. dollars. According to the Cuban government, this measure aims to sustain and develop the telecommunications network in a context of economic crisis, although it has faced criticism for excluding those who do not have access to foreign currency.
What impact do ETECSA's new rates have on the Cuban population?
The new rates from ETECSA have generated profound discontent among the Cuban population, as they severely restrict access to the Internet for those who do not receive remittances or do not have access to dollars. The high costs of packages in national currency and the need to use dollars to purchase additional services exacerbate inequality and limit connectivity for many Cubans.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to mitigate the impact of the new ETECSA rates?
The Cuban government has announced that adjustments will be made to reduce the impact on specific sectors, particularly in the student sector. However, concrete measures have not yet been detailed nor has a timeline for implementation been provided, leaving many Cubans skeptical about the effectiveness of these promises.
How has the officialist community responded to ETECSA's rate hike?
Even within the ruling community, there have been criticisms of the ETECSA rate hike, with organizations such as the University Student Federation expressing concern about the impact on access to digital education. This reaction is unusual, as these organizations typically align with the regime's decisions, highlighting the level of widespread discontent.
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