The official Cuban newspaper, Granma, has reiterated that the socialist regime in Cuba has established punitive measures to imprison citizens who criticize the government on social media. This warning comes in the wake of public outrage over the recent increase in tariffs by the state monopoly, ETECSA. Granma published an article titled "Unrestrained Anti-Cuban Terrorism on Social Media," penned by Francisco Arias Fernández, which regurgitates the familiar rhetoric of a besieged fortress, mercenaries, and imperialist aggression.
The article states, "Numerous offenses are outlined in the Cuban Penal Code that can be applied in the realm of digital social media, for which there is an applicable punitive framework for each act." Arias Fernández proceeds to list a series of offenses that the regime typically uses to accuse dissenting voices: "Enemy Propaganda, Defamation of Institutions and Organizations, Threats, Sexual Outrage, Corruption of Minors, Slander, Calumny, Injury, Blackmail, and Fraud."
Increased Censorship and Surveillance
While digital platform monopolies censor and shut down sites, profiles, pages, or content that advocate for ending the genocide against the Palestinian people or the maximum pressure economic war against Cuba, "Contempt is also a criminal offense included in crimes against administration and jurisdiction, as well as Assault and Resistance, although the latter are extrapolated to the physical space, and have been expressed through social media," the author adds, possibly alluding to the recent charges against intellectual and activist Alina Bárbara López Hernández.
The Communist Party's official voice discusses the censorship by "digital platform monopolies," conveniently ignoring the State Security's oversight of critical voices online. "The conspiratorial rhetoric manipulates, recycles fake news, tries to confuse and magnify the shortages, social issues, and the consequences of the economic war in the daily life of Cubans to increase discontent, sow demotivation, divide and confront the government," reads the text.
Public Backlash over New Telecom Policies
The article's publication coincided with the announcement of a new set of measures that severely limit the use of the Cuban peso (CUP) for mobile recharges and instead promote data packages in U.S. dollars. Beyond the immediate shock and outrage caused by the announcement, the reaction in the Cuban digital ecosystem was notable, especially on the regime's official outlet, Cubadebate, where the news prompted a flood of comments expressing fury far beyond the usual bounds of criticism on the island.
The decision to cap CUP recharges at 360 pesos per month and offer data plans in foreign currency was perceived by many as the formalization of the dollarization of mobile services in Cuba. The announcement, which came with technocratic language and promises of technical "improvements," was met with a rare public outcry in both official and state media voices. In a matter of hours, over 1,300 comments overflowed the official Cubadebate page. This time, the tone was not one of resigned approval but of unfiltered indignation.
One reader summarized it with bitter irony: "Let's be serious. This isn't an offer; this is daylight robbery. Another attack on those who already have very little." Regime spokespersons like Ernesto Limia and Buena Fe singer Israel Rojas have also reacted against the tariff hike.
Additionally, on Friday night, shortly after the measure was announced, the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) launched a national surveillance exercise in communities across the island under the name "Popular Exercise for Security and Order."
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Telecom Tariffs and Social Media
What measures has the Cuban government implemented against social media critics?
The Cuban government has established a punitive framework within its Penal Code to prosecute individuals who criticize the government on social media, accusing them of crimes such as enemy propaganda, defamation, and more.
How has the Cuban public reacted to the new telecom tariff measures?
The new telecom tariff measures have sparked significant outrage across the Cuban digital sphere, with over 1,300 comments expressing strong disapproval on the official Cubadebate page.
What changes have been made to mobile recharge policies in Cuba?
The new policies cap mobile recharges in Cuban pesos at 360 pesos per month and promote data plans in U.S. dollars, which many perceive as a step towards the dollarization of mobile services in Cuba.