The Cuban government has announced a special episode of the presidential podcast "From the Presidency" to be aired this Thursday. During this segment, Miguel Díaz-Canel is set to address, in a "critical" manner, the unpopular price increase implemented by the state-run ETECSA. This move comes amidst a growing wave of public outrage, highlighted by academic protests from university students.
Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on June 5, the broadcast titled "ETCSA's Measures: A Critical Review with Díaz-Canel" will be featured on the Mesa Redonda platform through Cubavisión, Radio Rebelde, Canal Caribe, and various governmental digital channels. The announcement indicates that Tania Velázquez, ETECSA's president, and Ernesto Rodríguez Hernández, the Deputy Minister of Communications, will join Díaz-Canel in discussing the "causes, consequences, and outlooks" related to these controversial measures.
The podcast comes four days after Díaz-Canel broke his silence on social media regarding ETECSA's measures, which many Cubans have condemned as "daylight robbery." In a brief thread on X (formerly Twitter), the leader acknowledged the public's dissatisfaction and promised explanations, though his response is seen by many as belated and evasive.
On June 1, Díaz-Canel stated, "We have been attentive to the opinions, criticisms, and dissatisfactions of our people regarding the measures announced by ETECSA," amidst a torrent of criticism that included official voices like the Federation of University Students (FEU) and media figures aligned with the regime. He justified the decisions by citing the country's dire economic situation and the U.S. embargo, claiming that the government is working on "options" for vulnerable groups, such as students, without providing concrete details or implementation timelines.
Amid Calls to "Close Ranks"
This presidential intervention occurs as university students from several provinces, led by those from the University of Havana, continue an indefinite academic strike against ETECSA's restrictions, which limit internet access in the national currency and promote services in foreign currencies.
Instead of addressing the demands, the government has called for "closing ranks," accusing students of being manipulated by "enemies of the system." On Wednesday, Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the Communist Party, claimed there is a "media war" and urged containment of what he described as an effort to destabilize the country. The FEU and the Union of Young Communists (UJC) have also toughened their rhetoric, which has only fueled more indignation, with protesters now demanding the resignation of the FEU president for not representing their interests.
Dollar Packages and Digital Exclusion
Among the most unpopular measures is the limitation of top-ups to 360 CUP per month, while new data packages exceed 11,000 CUP, equivalent to several minimum wages. Simultaneously, ETECSA is promoting plans in U.S. dollars, accessible only with international cards or through the MiTransfer Wallet.
In a gesture to alleviate the situation, ETECSA offered 6 GB of additional data and free access to educational sites, but students have deemed this insufficient. They demand equitable internet access for all Cubans, not just university students.
Understanding Recent ETECSA Policies
What prompted the critical review of ETECSA's pricing by Díaz-Canel?
The critical review was initiated due to widespread public discontent and protests, especially from university students, against ETECSA's recent pricing policies.
How did Díaz-Canel respond to the public's reaction to ETECSA's measures?
Díaz-Canel acknowledged the public's dissatisfaction and promised explanations, although his response was seen as delayed and insufficient by many.
What are some of the controversial measures implemented by ETECSA?
ETCSA has imposed a 360 CUP monthly limit on top-ups and introduced new data packages that exceed 11,000 CUP, alongside promoting dollar-based plans.