Holguín Communication and Letters School Joins Student Strike Over ETECSA Policies

Students from the School of Communication and Letters at the University of Holguín have joined the call for a strike against the measures imposed by ETECSA. Despite the lack of support from the FEU and UJC in the province, the faculty has declared an "indefinite academic strike starting June 7 until the measures are repealed."

A journalism student shared on social media, "Without backing from our FEU of UHo or UJC Holguín, we exercise our rights by issuing this joint statement," accompanying the declaration. The students condemned the measures enforced by ETECSA on May 30, which they view as an affront to the "right to education, communication, and social justice" in Cuba. "We are not a privileged minority; we represent the voice of a people tired of paying for inefficiency," they assert.

Furthermore, they argue that "these measures violate fundamental principles enshrined in the Cuban Constitution and international human rights treaties." They criticize the new restrictions, such as the cap on CUP recharges and high package prices, for worsening inequality and severely impacting the university community.

These limitations, they note, hinder access to international academic platforms, complicate research and communication with overseas tutors, and introduce a "covert dollarization of the service.” They strongly reject any attempts to "delegitimize their critical thinking," emphasizing that their stance arises from a commitment to Cuba.

Solidarity with Other Universities

In solidarity with other faculties across the country, including the University of Havana, CUJAE, and the University of Las Villas, they demand:

• Immediate repeal of the May 30 measures.
• Improvement of university Wi-Fi services and removal of download limits.
• Public audit of ETECSA and transparency in revenue use.
• Formation of a multidisciplinary commission to redesign connectivity policy.
• End of harassment against students' legitimate demands.

The students have declared an indefinite academic strike starting June 7, organizing permanent assemblies and launching a campaign to raise awareness of their cause. They conclude by echoing their peers from the Mathematics and Computer Science faculties: "We mobilize for social justice, not for crumbs."

Below is the complete JOINT DECLARATION BY THE STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND LETTERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOLGUÍN:

Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 6:58 pm

The students of the School of Communication and Letters at the University of Holguín join the national outcry against the measures implemented by ETECSA S.A. on May 30, 2025, which constitute a direct attack on the right to education, communication, and social justice in our country. These provisions—limiting national currency recharges to 360 CUP monthly and forcing package purchases priced at over 150% of the minimum wage—deepen inequality and economically suffocate the university community and the Cuban people.

The restrictions prevent access to international academic platforms, research with updated bibliographies, and communication with external tutors, which is essential for theses and projects. The additional package of 6 GB for 360 CUP (total 12 GB) is inadequate and does not resolve the service's covert dollarization.

We assert that these measures violate fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba and international human rights treaties. Access to information is inherent to freedom of thought, individual, and collective development.

We categorically reject any attempts to delegitimize our critical thinking and demands under false accusations of external manipulation. Our analysis arises from an unwavering commitment to Cuba and its people, not from foreign interests.

We join the faculties of the University of Havana (Mathematics and Computer Science, Philosophy, Psychology), CUJAE, and the University of Las Villas, who have already declared indefinite academic strikes.

We demand:

• Immediate repeal of the May 30 measures and removal of any recharge limits.
• Enhancement and update of the Wi-Fi services in faculties and elimination of the 8 GB per user download limit.
• Audit of ETECSA's finances and dissemination of telecommunications revenue allocation.
• Creation of a multidisciplinary commission with representatives from all universities to redesign connectivity policies.
• End to the harassment of what is a lawful, just, and legitimate demand by Cuban university students.

In support of our demands and following the example of our sister faculties, we declare:

Indefinite academic strike starting June 7, 2025, until the measures are repealed. Permanent assemblies in our faculty to organize resistance and coordinate actions with other centers. Widespread dissemination of this letter on social media and by all possible means, seeking visibility and support from other sectors of society.

We are not a privileged minority; we represent the voice of a people tired of paying for inefficiency. As the MATCOM students said: "We mobilize for social justice, not for crumbs."