In response to ETECSA's latest move to dollarize some of its key mobile Internet services and severely limit access through the local currency, a number of Cubans, both on the island and abroad, have decided to outright reject any recharges from overseas. This sentiment is vividly captured in a viral video shared on Facebook by Ezequiel Puldon, accompanied by the caption "The old man took a stand!"
The video features a visibly upset Cuban father expressing his disbelief at the cost of an international recharge. "Now I see 9 gigabytes, 22 dollars," he exclaims, referencing the new rates introduced by ETECSA. Unable to suppress his frustration, he makes a stark decision: "Look, throw away the phone, sell it with the line and all, because I’m not recharging that crap anymore. We'll talk when we see each other over there, or you send me a letter and I'll send you one back. Finish."
This outburst encapsulates the growing frustration among thousands of Cubans towards the state-run telecommunications company's actions. The public's rejection of these international recharges has gained momentum on social media, where many Cubans describe these offers as exploitative and disconnected from the country's economic reality.
From expressions of defiance like "we don't want foreign recharges" to outright calls for a boycott, many perceive these campaigns as ways to maintain economic dependence and reinforce ETECSA's covert dollarization strategy. Recently, a promotional offer by ETECSA further fueled the outrage, as users criticized the so-called special bonus as a guise for disproportionately high package prices.
The backlash not only focuses on the costs but also on what is seen as an insult to those abroad who sacrifice to support their families in Cuba. In a move deemed offensive by many, ETECSA launched a Father's Day promotion that valued the U.S. dollar at less than 25 Cuban pesos. This decision drew sharp criticism for its implications on the devaluation of money sent from abroad, intensifying the rejection of a system that appears to penalize the average citizen while prioritizing foreign currency revenue.
Understanding ETECSA's Controversial Recharges
What led to the backlash against ETECSA's new recharge policies?
The backlash was triggered by ETECSA's decision to dollarize part of its services and impose high costs on international recharges, which many Cubans see as exploitative and disconnected from the economic realities of the country.
How did social media influence the response to ETECSA's actions?
Social media played a crucial role in amplifying the public's rejection of ETECSA's policies, with many expressing their frustration and calling for boycotts, highlighting how these offers perpetuate economic dependence.