The young content creator, Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, has reported that the Cuban Telecommunications Company, ETECSA, cut off her internet connection in an effort to silence her posts and limit the reach of her message on social media. "On October 16, my connection issues began. I couldn't receive calls, messages, or access the internet. It wasn't a problem with my phone because I checked," stated Benítez Silvente, who refused to hand over her device when ETECSA staff requested it for "inspection."
"To get an answer, I had to give them my phone. I didn't hand it over. Right now, I have internet, but I want to express that I will report any retaliation against me. I stand by everything I've said. I'm firm in my beliefs," the young woman affirmed in a story shared on her Facebook profile.
Benítez Silvente gained viral attention with a series of videos dismantling the official claim that "you owe your university degree to the Revolution." Calmly and insightfully, she narrated the familial sacrifices required for her education, challenging the misleading narrative of free education in Cuba and highlighting that families bear the costs.
Her testimony sparked a wave of public support but also drew reactions from the state apparatus. Benítez Silvente revealed that she was summoned and threatened following her public statements.
Despite the harassment and attempts at censorship, Anna Sofía remains steadfast: "I'm not leaving the country. I want to stay and continue speaking out. I desire a nation where studying and working are worthwhile."
Her situation is not unique. Other Cuban activists have experienced inexplicable internet service disruptions following impactful declarations against the regime. This underscores the use of technological control as a tool of repression against young voices in Cuba.
Implications of Internet Censorship in Cuba
Why did ETECSA cut off Anna Sofía Benítez's internet service?
ETECSA allegedly disconnected Anna Sofía Benítez's internet to silence her criticism of the Cuban regime and limit the reach of her social media messages.
What was Anna Sofía Benítez's viral video about?
Her videos challenged the official narrative that the Revolution is responsible for free education, by highlighting the personal and familial sacrifices required for education in Cuba.
How does the Cuban regime use technology as a tool of repression?
The regime reportedly uses control over telecommunications to silence dissent and repress young activists by cutting off their internet service following critical statements.