An open letter from the academic community in Holguín has been circulating on social media since Monday, expressing strong opposition to the recent price increases imposed by the Cuban telecommunications company, ETECSA. Addressed to the Communist Party authorities, provincial government, the Prosecutor's Office, and ETECSA itself, the letter criticizes the unilateral nature of the new internet rates and warns of their detrimental impact on student life.
The letter highlights that these measures were implemented without the 30-day notice required by the service contract, arguing that the available packages, such as the student top-up of 360 CUP, are unaffordable for most, given that the average salary in Cuba barely exceeds 5,700 CUP. "These measures, aimed at generating revenue, are unacceptable amid economic scarcity," the signatories state, emphasizing that the price hike exacerbates inequality and limits access to education, research, and remote work opportunities.
Included with the letter is an annex written from a psychological perspective, explaining that the increased connection costs lead to anxiety, academic stress, frustration, and a general sense of injustice. "It's not just about numbers; it's about postponed dreams and lost opportunities," the letter asserts.
The university community also raises concerns that digital isolation harms young people's mental and emotional health, preventing them from connecting with family or participating in online educational and social spaces. "We've seen talented peers abandon their studies, not due to lack of ability, but because of barriers that seem insurmountable," they lament.
Several members of Holguín University have shared the letter on their personal profiles and in social media groups, expressing their support for its contents and publicly voicing their concern over ETECSA's impact on the student environment.
The letter bases its arguments on various articles of the Cuban Constitution and other national laws, such as the Penal Code and the Code of Procedures, claiming that ETECSA has violated rights like equitable access to essential goods and services, and the State's duty to ensure legality, justice, and equity.
In addition to demanding the immediate suspension of the price hike, the students call for an alternative solution that ensures fair and legally compliant pricing. They reject any attempts to manipulate or delegitimize their claims, affirming their commitment to constitutional, revolutionary, and social justice principles. "We don't ask for privileges, we ask for opportunities. We don't demand luxuries, but rights," concludes the letter, ending with a phrase that has become a rallying cry: "For a Cuba where the Constitution is not mere words, and the Cuban workforce is the true currency of the nation."
The growing discontent among Holguín University students over the new tariffs imposed by ETECSA first surfaced on Friday, when law students publicly denounced the state-owned company. They accused ETECSA of lacking transparency and failing to honor the contractual 30-day notice, imposing measures they deemed abusive, discriminatory, and disconnected from the people's real needs.
Following this, a group of professors from the University of Holguín teaching General Legal Theory and Philosophy of Law joined the students' protest with a forceful statement. They openly supported the protests, demanding the immediate suspension of ETECSA's imposed measures and calling for a genuinely transparent public consultation process.
The professors criticized the technocratic responses given by the company's executives and warned of the negative effects these policies could have on equality and access to knowledge in Cuba.
Finally, last Sunday, the Holguín University Student Federation Council (FEU) issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the situation and expressing willingness to engage in dialogue with the authorities. However, they chose to distance themselves from public protests. Instead of demanding specific changes, they called for "thinking through solutions" and condemned what they labeled as distortions and incitements to hatred.
Impact of ETECSA's Tariff Increase
What are the main concerns raised by Holguín University students about ETECSA's new tariffs?
The students are primarily concerned about the unilateral nature of the price increases, the lack of a required 30-day notice, and the affordability of new internet packages. They argue that these changes exacerbate inequality and hinder access to education and essential services.
How have the new tariffs affected students' mental and emotional health?
The increase in connection costs has led to anxiety, academic stress, frustration, and a sense of injustice among students. The digital isolation also affects their ability to communicate with family and participate in online educational and social activities.
What actions have the Holguín University community taken in response to the tariff hike?
The university community has circulated an open letter, shared it on social media, and received support from professors. They are demanding the suspension of the tariff increase and calling for fair and legally compliant solutions.