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Humberto López Condemns Cubans Selling ETECSA Credit: "This Cannot Be Tolerated"

Thursday, June 19, 2025 by Amelia Soto

On Wednesday's broadcast of the state-run program Hacemos Cuba, spokesperson for the regime, Humberto López, condemned the practice of selling ETECSA credit by Cuban citizens, labeling it as "unacceptable." Authorities have stated that this behavior will be subject to criminal prosecution.

During the show, López displayed social media posts of individuals offering mobile credit, describing these as rapidly evolving schemes in response to new economic policies. Although he refrained from revealing phone numbers, he did expose usernames, publicly accusing them of illegal activities without any investigative process to substantiate such claims.

"Criminal activities adapt and shift," López stated, adding, "There are people on this path. This falls within the scope of what we are explaining regarding fiscal investigation."

Regime's Crackdown on Informal Economy

The program also featured Colonel Marcos Yobany Rodríguez González, deputy head of the economic crimes unit at the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), who indicated that this type of activity was anticipated by the authorities. "We are monitoring this and will respond accordingly to the severity of each case," he asserted, issuing a direct threat to the public.

The Colonel mentioned that both organized networks and independent operators will be investigated. "The main thing is to refrain from continuing such actions. Stop it," he warned.

Chief prosecutor of the Directorate of Criminal Processes at the Attorney General's office, José Luis Reyes Blanco, classified this as an illegal economic activity, lacking legal backing, structure, or tax payment, thus constituting a punishable offense. His statements suggest the regime's readiness to use its repressive apparatus to safeguard the revenue it earns from ETECSA top-ups, even targeting informal practices that evade fiscal control.

Informal Mobile Credit Sales: A Lifeline for Many

The informal sale of mobile credit has become a survival strategy for numerous Cubans amidst the scarcity of formal employment, economic hardship, and the state's grip on telecommunications services. The remarks made by López and other regime officials reinforce the dictatorship's crackdown on any form of informal or autonomous management outside the state framework, even in the digital realm.

In an apparent reaction to public discontent over high mobile internet prices on the island, ETECSA announced a new 2 GB mobile data plan for 1,200 Cuban pesos, available starting June 20.

Uncovering a Network of "Fraud" with Fake Top-Ups

On the same episode of Hacemos Cuba, a supposed network dedicated to defrauding ETECSA users was revealed. The case, still under investigation, involves a Cuban residing in the United States with connections in several provinces, including Havana, Artemisa, and Holguín.

While authorities did not disclose the number of arrests, they reported seizing more than 40 million pesos in Cuban currency during house raids in the capital, along with a satellite dish, money counting machines, computers, magnetic cards, phones, and a car.

According to the regime, this network used digital platforms like Soky Recargas Online to simulate international top-up transactions. In reality, the individuals involved conducted national top-ups using credit acquired from local telecommunications agents, pocketing the foreign currency sent from abroad.

Regime Labels Unauthorized Top-Ups as "Sabotage"

Additionally, the Cuban regime intensified its rhetoric against international phone top-ups conducted outside ETECSA's official channels, warning they could be classified as acts of sabotage. This declaration was made on Hacemos Cuba amidst an increasingly aggressive campaign against alternative methods of sending phone credit to the island.

Officials stated these practices significantly harm the finances of the state telecommunications monopoly, describing them as part of "criminal structures" involving individuals facilitating unauthorized top-up services from abroad.

The statements come as Cubans, both in and outside the country, turn to informal platforms for sending phone credit due to the inefficiency, high cost, and limitations of the official system.

Understanding ETECSA Credit Sales and Repercussions

What is the regime's stance on selling ETECSA credit?

The regime views the sale of ETECSA credit by individuals as an illegal activity and has announced that it will be subject to criminal prosecution.

How is the informal sale of mobile credit affecting Cubans?

The informal sale of mobile credit is a means of survival for many Cubans facing economic difficulties and the lack of formal employment opportunities.

What actions are the authorities taking against unauthorized top-ups?

Authorities are investigating and intend to prosecute both organized networks and individuals involved in unauthorized top-up activities, which they have labeled as potential acts of sabotage.

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