The Cuban regime has issued a stern warning that international phone recharge activities conducted outside the official channels of the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA) may be classified as acts of sabotage. This announcement marks a new level of repression against widespread practices among Cubans both on and off the island who seek to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the state-run telecommunications monopoly.
On Wednesday's broadcast of the state-sponsored program "Hacemos Cuba," regime spokesperson Humberto López interviewed officials from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) and the Attorney General's Office. They depicted those involved in unauthorized recharge services from abroad as part of a "criminal network."
Authorities highlighted that these operations, often promoted by websites offering lower prices and attractive promotions compared to ETECSA, result in significant foreign currency losses for the state-owned company. The chief prosecutor of the Directorate of Criminal Processes, José Luis Reyes Blanco, warned, "It can be considered an act of sabotage," emphasizing the impact on "critical infrastructure" such as the telecommunications system.
The Regime's Legal Response
Colonel Marcos Yobany Rodríguez, deputy chief of the MININT's economic crimes division, revealed that "structures" operating within Cuba have caused "massive adverse effects." He mentioned recent investigations leading to public legal actions.
Authorities have identified individuals within Cuba holding licenses as ETECSA telecom agents who exploit their access to facilitate multiple national recharges using local currency. Additionally, "hundreds of people" are used to credit balances to Cuban beneficiaries, simulating national recharges while payments are received in foreign currency through alternative channels.
Targeting Intermediaries
While acknowledging that the final recipient, the Cuban receiving the phone recharge, is a "victim," the regime made it clear that all intermediaries, both inside and outside the country, will face criminal charges. "We are talking about severe penalties," warned prosecutor Reyes Blanco, referencing the serious nature of the sabotage charge and its stringent consequences.
Redefining Sabotage
The legal justification for this categorization is based on the recent issuance of Ruling 475 by the People's Supreme Court. This ruling broadens the definition of sabotage to include acts affecting sensitive services such as telecommunications, transportation, power generators, or solar parks.
The prosecutor likened the telecommunications system to the "nervous system" of a human body, stating that any financial harm to ETECSA not only jeopardizes citizens but also impacts the nation's development, private enterprise, and state entities.
This legal crackdown coincides with ETECSA's recent announcement of a new tariff structure, capping national recharges at only 360 CUP monthly and promoting data packages priced in U.S. dollars (USD). For instance:
- 4 GB for 10 USD
- 8 GB + 75 minutes + 80 SMS for 20 USD
- 16 GB for 35 USD
Meanwhile, national currency plans have surged to prices exceeding the minimum wage: 3 GB for 3,360 CUP and 15 GB for nearly 12,000 CUP. These measures, effectively dollarizing internet access, have sparked widespread criticism on social media, particularly among those who do not receive remittances and face restricted access to basic connectivity services.
ETECSA President Tania Velázquez defended the decision, claiming the company has lost over 60% of its revenue from international recharges due to "frauds" outlined by MININT and the Attorney General's Office. She further noted that the average revenue per mobile line fell from 133 USD in 2018 to just 31 USD in 2024.
With this new legal threat, the regime aims to secure ETECSA's foreign currency earnings amid a revenue crisis and growing distrust. Equating those organizing alternative recharges with saboteurs signifies a new phase in criminalizing survival strategies in a country where nearly everything is priced in dollars, yet wages are paid in pesos.
Understanding the Implications of Sabotage Charges
What are the consequences of being charged with sabotage in Cuba?
Being charged with sabotage in Cuba is considered a serious offense, carrying severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, as it is viewed as a threat to national security and the economy.
How does ETECSA's new tariff structure affect Cubans?
ETECSA's new tariff structure limits national recharges and promotes data packages priced in USD, increasing costs for many Cubans, particularly those without access to foreign currency, resulting in restricted internet access.