University of Havana's Communication Faculty Demands Inclusive Solutions from ETECSA

The University of Havana's Faculty of Communication (FCOM) has joined the mounting student opposition against ETECSA's recent measures. They have officially declared that they will not accept the 6 GB data package offered by the state-run company until "more effective solutions that consider the entire population" are presented.

This decision was made by the Extended Council of the University Student Federation (FEU), which issued a statement on Facebook. The statement reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue but made it clear that they will not approve measures that favor a select few while leaving the majority of the country without connectivity.

"We continue to advocate for critical and strategic dialogue as a tool to resolve the issues created by the new tariffs through intelligence, participation, and civility," the statement explains. "We validate the positions and efforts of our peers from other faculties, university authorities, and all those collaborating to find a solution to the conflict," it adds.

Priority to the People: Rejecting Privilege

The refusal to accept ETECSA's data offer challenges the official narrative that attempts to appease student unrest with sector-specific concessions without addressing the underlying issue: the growing inequality in Internet access in Cuba. This is exacerbated by dollarized tariffs that exclude those who don't receive remittances or earn foreign currency.

"The Faculty of Communication has initiated the creation of a comprehensive report on Internet usage and the impact of the new measures on students. We invite university students to participate in this investigative process to gather data that supports our cause," the statement notes.

FCOM is also calling for a direct meeting with high-level government officials, demanding to be an active participant in seeking solutions, rather than mere recipients of unilateral decisions. The demand is to address students' problems and concerns and "engage in dialogue to find solutions."

Growing University Unrest

With this stance, FCOM aligns itself with other faculties that have raised their voices against ETECSA's so-called "tariff hike," which limits services in Cuban pesos while offering broader plans in dollars.

Following several days of public statements from various faculties, students have also criticized the national president of the FEU. The Faculty of Biology publicly rejected the authority of Ricardo Rodríguez González, who holds that position, accusing him of failing to represent the true opinions of the student body.

Meanwhile, the Faculty of Philosophy, History, Sociology, and Social Work (Humanities) demanded the immediate resignation of the leader, describing his management as "complacent, passive, and uncritical."

Students from the University of Havana's Mathematics and Computer Science faculty reaffirmed in an assembly their decision to maintain the academic strike in protest of ETECSA's new measures, which they describe as a direct assault on the Cuban people.

Internet Access: A Right, Not a Privilege

In response to widespread discontent, ETECSA announced a partial measure offering an additional 6 GB package for 360 CUP exclusively for university students, along with free access to over 40 educational websites. However, the youth are rejecting data packages intended only for them, emphasizing that they are not seeking sectoral privileges but rather social justice and equity in Internet access for all citizens.

As the government attempts to quell dissent with partial offers and ideological discourse, the country's classrooms are ablaze with legitimate questions and demands that can no longer be ignored.