Cuba's Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, declared on Monday that modifications will be made to the controversial rate increase imposed by ETECSA, the sole telecommunications provider in Cuba, to "lessen the impact on specific sectors," particularly students. Marrero shared this update through a series of posts on his official X account, formerly known as Twitter, emphasizing that "listening to the people, addressing their demands, and finding collective solutions have always been and will continue to be a practice of the Revolution."
According to the Prime Minister, several state entities, in collaboration with local authorities, have been working to identify ways to mitigate the effects of ETECSA's recent measures, with a specific focus on students as a priority group. "Further details will be provided in today's Mesa Redonda," Marrero hinted, though he did not specify what the adjustments entail or when they would be implemented.
This announcement follows a weekend of widespread outrage sparked by ETECSA's "rate hike," announced on Friday, May 30. The decision restricts top-ups in Cuban pesos (CUP) to just 360 CUP per month and emphasizes new packages in U.S. dollars (USD), resulting in an unusually strong backlash even from pro-government platforms like Cubadebate.
The public's discontent highlights the stark disparity between citizens' actual earnings and the new connectivity costs. A 15 GB plan now costs 11,760 CUP, more than five times the minimum monthly wage of 2,100 CUP, while a 4 GB package in USD costs 10 dollars, accessible only to those with international cards or a MiTransfer wallet balance.
In response to the surge of criticism, President Miguel Díaz-Canel broke his silence on Sunday with a brief thread on X, promising forthcoming explanations and asserting that options for the "most vulnerable sectors," including students, were being considered. However, his response was seen as belated and vague.
"We are aware of the public's criticisms and dissatisfaction," Díaz-Canel wrote, once again citing the embargo as an excuse without clearly explaining the reasons for the price increases or the actual compensation mechanisms.
What truly marked a turning point was the reaction from sectors traditionally aligned with the government. The Federation of University Students (FEU), the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS), and individuals historically supportive of the regime publicly expressed their concerns about the impact of the measure.
In December 2024, Marrero himself had informed the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) about the tariff increases as a strategy to "capture more foreign currency" amid the country's severe economic crisis. At that time, he stated that due to the popularity of national currency packages, services in foreign currency had lost their appeal, prompting the government to redesign its commercial policy to favor dollar income. "From now on, those who want to spend more will have to pay another price," Marrero declared, leading to widespread rejection on social media.
In addition to the new rates, the government announced the creation of exclusive foreign currency packages, the inclusion of roaming payments in foreign currency, and the design of additional services to generate income, though no specific details on prices or implementation dates were provided.
Understanding ETECSA's Rate Adjustments
What prompted ETECSA's recent rate hike?
The rate hike by ETECSA was part of a strategy to generate more foreign currency amid Cuba's ongoing economic crisis. The government aimed to make foreign currency services more attractive by redesigning its commercial policy.
How are students affected by ETECSA's new rates?
Students are particularly impacted by the new rates as they now face higher costs for connectivity, which is essential for educational purposes. The government has acknowledged this and is working on adjustments to reduce the impact on this group.