Manuel López Harrison, a Cuban national, has taken a stand in Guantánamo by filing a formal complaint with ETECSA's Chief Executive, Tania Velázquez, seeking to overturn the recent price hike unilaterally imposed by the regime. His appeal specifically requests the cancellation of the new tariffs and commercial policies that took effect on May 30, 2025. These measures, announced by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, have significantly impacted mobile and Internet services, introducing limitations on national recharges and altering data plan acquisition conditions.
In his argument, López Harrison emphasizes that these actions should be judged against the constitutional rights to petition and complain, as well as legal standards set forth in Law No. 167 and Decree No. 124. These statutes clearly assign the authority to approve maximum Internet access tariffs to the Minister of Communications, not the Prime Minister. Moreover, the Ministry of Communications failed to submit the proposal to the Ministry of Finance and Prices for publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic, a step omitted on the President of ETECSA's claim to avoid public anxiety.
Decree 124 refers to the Cuban Civil Code, which declares any actions executed without adherence to administrative formalities as null. The complaint also highlights that implementing these measures without prior notice contradicts the Prepaid Cellular Phone Service Contract, which mandates a 30-day advance notification. The absence of a ministerial resolution published in the Official Gazette renders the process illegal and unconstitutional, contravening both Cuban civil law and socialist legality principles.
López Harrison demands the reinstatement of pre-May 30, 2025 tariffs to restore consumer rights and uphold legal integrity. This move challenges a politically motivated decision that flouts Cuba's own laws, designed to extract foreign currency from exiles sustaining the communications monopoly in Cuba. ETECSA's dollarization severely restricts Cuban peso recharges, capping them at 360 pesos (less than one dollar), while offering dollar-based packages to international buyers.
Despite obstacles, Harrison submitted his complaint in Guantánamo, crafted with the expertise of renowned attorney Julio Alfredo Ferrer Tamayo. Ferrer previously made headlines in 2020 by suing President Miguel Díaz-Canel for public health violations during the pandemic. He also took legal action against regime spokesperson Humberto López for defaming Cuban artist Tania Bruguera on state television.
In an interview with CiberCuba, Ferrer shared insights on filing complaints against ETECSA and has made the document available to any Cuban wishing to contest the price hike through the regime's legal channels. The arbitrary imposition of these price increases has sparked significant unrest among Cuban students, whose access to information and academic performance in a globally connected world are severely hindered. The political police have responded with intimidation tactics, including harassment, interrogations, and warnings at universities.
Understanding the ETECSA Tariff Controversy
Why did Manuel López Harrison file a complaint against ETECSA?
Manuel López Harrison filed a complaint against ETECSA to challenge the legality of newly imposed tariffs and commercial measures that were enacted without following proper administrative procedures, impacting mobile and Internet service access.
What legal grounds does López Harrison use in his complaint?
López Harrison's complaint is based on constitutional rights to petition and legal stipulations from Law No. 167 and Decree No. 124, which designate tariff approval to the Minister of Communications, not the Prime Minister.
How does the tariff increase affect Cuban citizens?
The price hike affects Cuban citizens by restricting mobile and Internet service access, limiting national recharges, and offering data plans only available in foreign currency, thereby excluding those unable to pay in dollars.
What has been the response of Cuban students to the price increase?
Cuban students have protested against the price increase as it limits their access to information and affects their academic performance, prompting a response from political authorities involving harassment and intimidation.