Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac once again touched on sensitive issues with a brief yet poignant comment regarding the public discontent caused by ETECSA's recent price hike. In a Facebook post on Monday, Toirac highlighted the collective outcry over the new connectivity rates imposed by the state-run telecommunications company, contrasting it with the lack of response to essential shortages like food and medicine.
"The uproar over what’s now being called the 'ETECSA price hike' has become a focal point of public opinion for several reasons," Toirac noted. "These range from the unchecked power of state institutions—ETECSA is not just a company; it is the state selling connectivity and communication—violating laws with impunity (let the lawyers speak), to the helplessness of citizens who are neither informed nor consulted in any plans, strategies, or decisions affecting THEIR economy and THEIR country."
However, it was his concluding remark that resonated the most: "It's a shame the public reacts to megabytes but not to the food and medicine for children and the elderly." With this statement, the artist succinctly critiques the public’s priorities, pointing out the stark contrast between the uproar over connectivity loss and the more subdued reaction to the food and healthcare crises directly threatening millions of Cubans.
The post was widely shared and commented on, not only for its symbolic weight but also for the balance of humor and criticism that defines Toirac's public works. Meanwhile, ETECSA has attempted to downplay the backlash with targeted measures aimed at university students following widespread rejection of the new pricing.
Yet, the wave of indignation continues to swell, with figures like Toirac effectively voicing the sentiments of a significant portion of the population who feel unable to express themselves. In previous statements, Ulises Toirac has sharply criticized ETECSA's pricing policies, emphasizing that the Cuban peso "isn't worth the shell" and jesting that "eleven thousand buys the uprising."
In a sarcastic tone, he questioned the high connectivity costs imposed on those wishing to express dissent, labeling this as a disguised "subsidy to censorship." In another critical analysis, he dismantled point by point the televised appearance of ETECSA's president, calling it "confirmatory" and lacking real solutions. He argued that if the company acknowledges a structural crisis, ethically, the address should have begun with "I resign."
Toirac also blamed the company for service saturation, contending that ETECSA signed every contract and set up lines it now cannot maintain. He criticized the justification of restrictions as protection for the university sector, calling it a "complicit silence," and declared that "with pesos, you can't even buy half a bit."
Understanding ETECSA's Price Hike and Public Reaction
What is the "ETECSA price hike" that Ulises Toirac refers to?
The "ETECSA price hike" refers to the recent increase in connectivity rates imposed by ETECSA, Cuba's state-run telecommunications company, which has sparked significant public outcry.
How has ETECSA responded to the criticism of its new tariffs?
In response to the widespread backlash, ETECSA has attempted to mitigate criticism by implementing targeted measures for university students, though the effectiveness and acceptance of these measures remain in question.
Why has Ulises Toirac criticized the public's reaction to the ETECSA price hike?
Ulises Toirac has highlighted the discrepancy in public reaction, pointing out that while there is uproar against the loss of connectivity, there is comparatively less outrage over critical issues like food shortages and the healthcare system's collapse.