Renowned Cuban actor and comedian Ulises Toirac voiced his concerns on Wednesday regarding the student strike initiated by the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Havana. He issued a stark warning that any attempt by the government to suppress the movement could lead to severe political repercussions.
Toirac described the situation as both an intriguing development and a critical juncture for the ruling powers. "Choosing repression will come with a high political cost—one that, in my opinion, is unpayable. On the other hand, allowing it could signal unprecedented political weakness," he commented on his Facebook page. He further emphasized, "Some things are foreseeable if one uses their brain. However, what has prevailed is arrogance, not foresight."
Public Sentiment and Support for Students
The response to Toirac's post highlights the escalating social tension surrounding this unprecedented event. Citizens, activists, and advocates of public education have rallied in support of the students. Gleider González remarked, "It's the time for the blindfolds to fall, where the blind can see the light." Others, like Yunier Trujillo, cautioned about potential crackdowns: "They've done it before and will do it again. Protect the young people within your reach."
Beyond the strike in the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, several comments suggest that the protest may be spreading to other faculties. Simultaneously, there are reports of academic authorities retaliating against students. Annette del Rey Roa highlighted, "Messages are emerging from professors and department heads at the INSTEC (Higher Institute of Technologies and Applied Sciences) threatening expulsion, even for students in their final year."
Historical Context and Broader Implications
Yuniet Fernández Blanco views the university protest as a moment without precedent since 1959. "They can't claim counterrevolution, criminal activity, or foreign influence. These are university students, the best in their respective schools," he asserted. The students' decision to strike from home is seen as a strategic move to avoid provocation and criminalization.
While some, like filmmaker Juan Pin Vilar, call for immediate dialogue with the Faculty of Mathematics, others anticipate inevitable repression. "My mother wasn't afraid of Ventura (Colonel Esteban Ventura Novo during Batista's dictatorship), nor was my grandmother... Of course, they will repress," the filmmaker declared in response to another user's comment about threats from faculty.
Broader Critique of Cuban Leadership
Recently, Toirac criticized the disconnect between Cuban leadership and the country's reality, calling out the systematic manipulation of official discourse. He previously dismantled the statements of ETECSA's president, Tania Velázquez, following her televised address about the controversial rate hikes, saying, "If there's a crisis of such magnitude, which is not the consumer's fault but the company's, then it should have begun with: 'I resign.'"
Regarding the same issue, the actor sarcastically noted the public's reaction to the new connectivity tariffs, contrasting it with the silence on other essential shortages like food and medicine. The new tariff structure of ETECSA, akin to the neoliberal packages often criticized by the Cuban regime, is widely seen as exploitative and discriminatory. It's perceived as "daylight robbery" by most Cubans.
The policy requires that, once the limited monthly data package (a mere 6 GB) is exhausted, customers must rely on expensive top-ups in both CUP and foreign currency—prices far beyond the reach of most citizens who earn wages in the heavily devalued Cuban peso amidst rampant inflation. As a measure of social exclusion and economic coercion, many dignified Cubans have chosen to reject any foreign top-ups.
In response to the widespread public outcry, ETECSA attempted to quell the criticism with new measures announced on the officialist program Mesa Redonda last Monday night, offering 12 GB for 720 CUP and free access to educational sites for university students. However, this Tuesday, in an official statement, the FEU and UJC of the Universidad Tecnológica de La Habana "José Antonio Echeverría" (CUJAE) condemned these new provisions and not only demanded alternative solutions but also called for more respect from ETECSA towards the people.
The wave of student discontent over these decisions led students from the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Havana to call for an indefinite academic strike.
Key Questions About the University Strike in Cuba
What triggered the student strike at the University of Havana?
The strike was initiated by students at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science in response to the new connectivity tariffs imposed by ETECSA, which they view as unfair and burdensome.
How has Ulises Toirac responded to the strike?
Ulises Toirac has warned that any government repression of the strike would result in significant political consequences, highlighting both the potential risks and the unprecedented nature of the situation.
What are the broader implications of the strike for Cuba?
The strike represents a significant challenge to Cuban leadership, highlighting discontent with policies and the potential for similar movements to spread to other faculties and institutions.