In a symbolic act of defiance, Cuban students have resurrected the image of Julio Antonio Mella as a symbol of resistance against the widespread disapproval of recent measures by the Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba (ETECSA). A photo began circulating on social media this Thursday, depicting Mella's statue flanked by two young individuals holding portraits of the student leader.
The bust bears a cardboard sign with a handwritten message posing the provocative question: "Where is Mella?" This phrase resonates as a direct challenge to the new generations, interpreted as a critique of both institutional passivity and the suppression of critical thought.
Historic Echoes and Artistic References
This scene harks back to a previous artistic intervention: the 2017 performance "¿Dónde está Mella?" by dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara in Havana's Manzana de Gómez. On that occasion, Otero transformed himself into a living statue with Mella's image covering his face, directly challenging the regime's use of revolutionary symbols. This aesthetic and political reference has been revived, adapted to the current context of growing social unrest due to economic hardship and government restrictions.
University Strike and Digital Discontent
The latest protest takes place amid a "university strike" sparked by dissatisfaction following ETECSA's announcement of a new pricing scheme that limits Cuban peso recharges to 360 CUP per month, forcing users to pay the rest in U.S. dollars. Many have labeled this measure a "digital apartheid," as it restricts internet access for those unable to afford the high costs.
Tania Velázquez, ETECSA's president, defended the tariff hike by citing the necessity of foreign currency to settle debts and enhance services, despite public backlash and accusations of inequality.
Institutional Tensions and Student Demands
Student discontent escalated when Ricardo Rodríguez González, the national president of the FEU, appeared on a special episode of the Round Table program, where he praised "exchange spaces" and condemned the "manipulation by enemies of the Revolution." This stance was seen by many as a betrayal of student demands, sparking a wave of criticism on social media.
The academic strike was initiated by the Federación Estudiantil Universitaria (FEU) of the University of Havana's Faculty of Mathematics and Computing. Students demand the reversal of the measure and a meeting "with the entire student body" to clarify the reasons behind this decision. Other faculties, such as Philosophy, History, and Sociology, have also voiced opposition to the price hike, denouncing the lack of representation and ambiguous communication from ETECSA.
Despite the Cuban government's attempts, through the University of Havana, to present a facade of normalcy in classrooms, students have reiterated that their protest extends beyond internet access. It reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the economic crisis and the lack of basic services like electricity, water, and transportation.
Understanding the Impact of ETECSA's Pricing Changes
What is the main reason behind the student protests in Cuba?
The student protests are primarily in response to ETECSA's new pricing scheme, which limits Cuban peso recharges and forces additional payments in U.S. dollars. This change has been perceived as a form of digital apartheid, restricting internet access for those unable to afford the higher costs.
How did ETECSA justify the increase in tariffs?
ETECSA's president, Tania Velázquez, justified the tariff increase by emphasizing the need for foreign currency to pay off debts and improve services, despite the measure being widely criticized for its perceived inequality.
What historical reference was used in the student protest?
The protest referenced a 2017 artistic performance by dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, where he used Julio Antonio Mella's image in a direct challenge to the regime's use of revolutionary symbols. This reference was adapted to address current social and economic issues.