The priest Alberto Reyes expressed his admiration for the Cuban university students who have raised their voices against the increase in ETECSA rates, describing their protest as an "admirable" gesture of courage and commitment to justice.
In a post on Facebook, Reyes praises the call for a student strike, the ability to mobilize, and above all, the integrity of the youth in refusing to be manipulated or bought. "They know that their stance can have many consequences."
Authorities have labeled the acts as "intolerable," repeating the worn official narrative of blaming an "external enemy." According to Reyes, this precedes a familiar "script": attempts at negotiation, threats, reprisals, false accusations, and eventually the persecution of student leaders.
For the parish priest from Camagüey, the struggle against ETECSA's rates has taken on a deeper political dimension: if students are allowed to win this battle, it will be an acknowledgment of the real power of the people.
The text concludes with a collective call to teachers, parents, intellectuals, and the general public to not leave young people alone. "Perhaps it is time to put into practice that which we have been repeatedly taught, that 'the people, united, will never be defeated'."
Next, CiberCuba shares the full text of the publication:
I have been thinking... (115) by Alberto Reyes Pías
I have been thinking about gestures that fill me with pride and hope
The attitude of university students towards the shamelessness displayed by ETECSA (because let’s remember that ETECSA does not operate on its own) is admirable.
Their public protest has been admirable, as they understand that their stance could lead to considerable consequences. Their ability to mobilize and the audacity to take concrete actions, such as calling for a student strike, is also commendable. However, what is even more admirable is that they have not allowed themselves to be bought off, that they have not only looked out for their own interests, and that they have called for justice for the entire community. The professors who have stood in solidarity with them are equally admirable.
On the other hand, the official stance of the University is regrettable, as it has labeled these acts as 'intolerable,' despite having praised the same attitude over the course of 66 years when it opposed another dictatorship. It is regrettable to hear the trivial discourse claiming that this protest has been orchestrated by an 'external enemy.' It is disheartening to see the Government's stubbornness in moving forward, exhaustively trying to justify the 'necessary goodness' of a further step in the dispossession of this people.
What comes next? They have already tried to bribe them, and that didn't work; they have tried to discredit them, and that hasn't worked either. Now the familiar script will unfold: first, the snake charmers, the friendly negotiators, the sympathetic ones with caveats. Then, the veiled threats will come, the insinuations of consequences, the attempts to control them through fear. And if that doesn't work, they will go after the leaders, the traps set by State Security, false accusations, and arbitrary detentions. Nothing new under this tropical sun.
Because the situation that has developed is extremely complex: if students are allowed to win this battle, it will be accepting the true power of the people. The issue is no longer ETECSA's rates; the real problem is who will win this struggle.
What variables do we have?
Let our university students realize that they can be the generation of change, and let us be capable of not leaving them alone.
Will their teachers be able to support them, fully aware that this struggle is also theirs?
Will their parents be able to support them, defend them, and stand firm with nails and teeth in favor of their children, or will they be the first to tell them to flee, to hide, to keep their heads down and follow the miserable yet safe path of slavery?
Will the intellectuals be capable of supporting them, or will they prefer not to risk their degrees? Will they be able to rekindle in these young people the dreams they themselves always had, or will they leave them alone, hiding their cowardice by calling them 'illusive dreamers'?
Will this community be able to return the gesture and, grateful to those who stood up for everyone, lend them a shoulder and do whatever it takes to be on their side?
Perhaps it is time to apply that lesson we have been so insistently taught, that 'the people, united, will never be defeated'".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Student Protest and ETECSA Measures in Cuba
Why are Cuban university students protesting against ETECSA?
Cuban university students protest against ETECSA due to the increase in mobile rates, which they consider an "unjustified price hike." This measure limits access to the internet, which is essential for academic and professional life, and is seen as an additional burden in a country where salaries are very low. The students have stated that the strike is necessary as a form of peaceful resistance to demand a change in these policies.
What has been the Cuban government's response to the student protests?
The Cuban government has dismissed the student protests as "unacceptable," blaming supposed "subversive campaigns" from abroad. They have denied the existence of a student strike and portrayed the protests as external manipulations. This official stance ignores the legitimate demands of the students and aims to maintain an appearance of normalcy.
What role has Father Alberto Reyes played in this context?
Priest Alberto Reyes has publicly supported the students and has strongly criticized the Cuban government. He has called the protests an admirable act of courage and has urged the Cuban people not to leave the youth alone in their struggle. Reyes is known for his critical stance towards the Cuban regime and has urged society to not remain passive in the face of injustice.
What consequences could the students face for their protest?
Students could face threats, reprisals, and persecution from the government. According to priest Alberto Reyes, the regime may follow a "well-known script" that includes attempts at bribery, veiled threats, and eventually, arbitrary detentions of student leaders. Despite these risks, students continue their fight for social justice and equitable access to information.
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