Humberto López, a prominent figure in the Cuban government's propaganda efforts, stated on the TV program "Hacemos Cuba" this Wednesday that revenue from ETECSA, the island's sole telecommunications company, is crucial not only for maintaining the healthcare system and other national sectors but also for tackling the severe energy crisis causing persistent power outages across Cuba. López emphasized that the funds collected from international phone top-ups could potentially decrease the frequency of these blackouts.
“Who wants a power outage? No one, right? But this money, which is being defrauded, could it help resolve our current situation?” López questioned, referring to the alleged frauds impacting ETECSA's international top-up revenues. He linked these phone top-ups to the stability of the national electrical grid, suggesting that the funds lost to these scams could be reinvested in the crisis-stricken energy system.
In a nation where ETECSA's rates are high and internet access remains both limited and expensive, the notion of tying electrical service quality to phone top-ups is, at the very least, provocative. Many Cubans endure daily power cuts lasting up to 12 hours or more, while being urged to safeguard the channels through which they receive phone credit.
Recently, ETECSA offered a Father's Day promotion of a 1,500 CUP top-up for 65.99 USD, providing users in Cuba with 25 GB and unlimited nighttime browsing for 35 days. Billed as a “special gift,” the offer instead sparked outrage, seen by many as emotional blackmail with patriotic overtones, squeezing the wallets of emigrants while digital exclusion persists in Cuba.
"Where's the deal?" asked one social media user. "I'd rather use that money to buy food," another commented. Intended to celebrate a familial occasion, the promotion became a glaring symbol of the state enterprise's exhausted model: collecting hard currency at any cost, even by playing on emotions. Now, in a move that seems ludicrous, it's suggested that these controversial revenues could help mitigate power outages. As if topping up your father's phone credit could ensure the lights stay on that night.
On "Hacemos Cuba," featuring representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, the Prosecutor's Office, and ETECSA executives, Colonel Marcos Yobany Rodríguez González, second-in-command of the MININT's economic crimes unit, described the fraud as a network of operators both inside and outside Cuba. These operators mimic official top-up promotions but divert funds out of the country, keeping the currency beyond state control. Cuban customers receive the credit as if it were a domestic top-up, which authorities allege causes significant financial harm to the company.
During a recent operation in Havana, authorities seized more than 40 million pesos in cash, antennas, money counting machines, and documents related to the scheme.
Fraud and Sabotage: The New Crimes of Top-Ups
José Luis Reyes Blanco, Chief Prosecutor of the General Prosecutor's Office's Penal Processes Directorate, warned that these activities might even be classified as sabotage, given the damage they cause to "sensitive national infrastructures," such as telecommunications and the electrical system. Those responsible face charges including fraud, illegal currency trafficking, and economic crimes, with precautionary measures like provisional detention, asset freezes, and travel bans already in place.
The State, as Humberto López articulated, sees citizens who unknowingly receive these top-ups as victims, urging them to report such incidents.
Understanding ETECSA's Role in Cuba's Energy Crisis
How does ETECSA's revenue affect power outages in Cuba?
ETECSA's revenue, particularly from international top-ups, is viewed as crucial for funding improvements in Cuba's struggling energy system. The government suggests these funds could reduce the frequency of blackouts by reinvesting in the national electrical grid.
What are the allegations against ETECSA regarding international top-ups?
Authorities claim that ETECSA is losing revenue due to fraudulent schemes where operators both inside and outside Cuba simulate official top-up promotions, channeling funds out of the country and bypassing state control.
Why is there controversy over ETECSA's top-up promotions?
Many view ETECSA's top-up promotions as exploitative, using emotional appeal to extract money from emigrants. These promotions are seen as a tactic to gather foreign currency, while digital exclusion continues in Cuba.