Cuban comedian Otto Ortiz had social media users in stitches with his tongue-in-cheek "solution" for getting more than one national currency balance top-up per month through ETECSA. "If you want more than one top-up a month, see you in school in September. If students are entitled to two top-ups a month... What you need to do is study. In September, everyone back to the classrooms!" Ortiz quipped on his social media channels.
Ortiz's satire pokes fun at the recent policy by the state-run telecommunications monopoly and subtly highlights the role students have played in recent Cuban events. This week, university students protested against ETECSA's exorbitant rates, prompting the regime to allow a second monthly top-up exclusively for students.
Nevertheless, dissatisfaction persists, as many young Cubans view the measure as inadequate and demand the removal of internet access restrictions for the entire Cuban population. Miguel Díaz-Canel has maintained that his government will not reverse this decision.
Ortiz's video sparked a flurry of comments. While some praised his humor, others highlighted the emergence of a black market offering national top-ups at prices like "360 CUP credit for 1000 Cuban pesos."
Understanding Cuba's Internet Access and ETECSA Policies
Why did Otto Ortiz's video gain attention?
Otto Ortiz's video gained attention due to its satirical take on the limited internet access in Cuba and the recent policy changes by ETECSA that affected students' access to top-ups.
What was the reaction to ETECSA's new policy?
The new policy allowing students a second monthly top-up led to student protests, as many felt it was insufficient and continued to demand unrestricted internet access for all Cubans.