Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac seized the opportunity following the false earthquake alarm that caused widespread panic in several Cuban provinces to launch a scathing critique against ETECSA, the state-run telecommunications company. He accused the company of having an infrastructure riddled with vulnerabilities, despite the substantial revenue it has generated since the 2025 rate hike.
The alarm resonated on Tuesday, just after 3:00 pm, affecting Android phones and tablets in Mayabeque, Granma, Holguín, Matanzas, Havana, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Las Tunas, and Santiago de Cuba. Hundreds of people fled their homes and workplaces to seek safety in open spaces, fearing an imminent earthquake.
Toirac's Critique on Social Media
On Wednesday, Toirac took to Facebook to describe the incident not as a minor technical glitch, but as a glaring exposure of the company's failures: "Do you know what happened yesterday? A real earthquake. Not seismic, but one that reveals you as an underworld company: a significant breach that allowed the simultaneous and massive dispatch of a whimsical notification with an image."
The actor believes someone found a way to send an unauthorized mass notification to thousands of Cubans, highlighting a severe security vulnerability in the company's systems. In the comments of his post, he dismissed the idea that Google was responsible: "It wasn't Google. They have the habit of putting their logo on EVERYTHING. Don’t pretend you don’t know it wasn't them."
Ongoing Concerns Over ETECSA's Infrastructure
Toirac reiterated a criticism he has maintained for over a year: ETECSA collects millions with its exorbitant pricing but fails to reinvest in its infrastructure.
"I don't know where you're stashing the cash you've been accumulating since the price hike. You raised rates, pushed for dollarization aggressively, roll out 'promotions' like gas... yet not a single dollar is spent on your infrastructure. The cell towers still have paper batteries, covered in cobwebs, capacities remain the same, and the technology is outdated…," he elaborated.
In July 2025, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero reported that ETECSA had amassed over $24.8 million in just 46 days following the rate increase—about $540,000 daily—a figure Toirac frequently cites in demanding accountability from the company.
The comedian concluded his message with a direct warning: "Stop worrying about funding trips, scholarships, and solar panels... focus on your core business, or you won't have anyone left to pay all that to."
Official Response to the Alarm
Hours after the event, the National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS) confirmed that the alarm was unfounded: "The earthquake alarm received on mobile devices in many parts of the country is not based on any officially issued alert," stated Dr. Enrique Diego Arango Arias, head of the National Seismological Service.
The earthquake alert that interrupted countless mobile phones on Tuesday did not coincide with any seismic activity recorded in the country.
As of now, the exact cause of the notification activation remains undetermined, and no definitive explanation has been provided. The official outlet Cubadebate suggested that the functionality of the Android Earthquake Alerts System might be a potential explanation.
Understanding the False Earthquake Alarm in Cuba
What triggered the false earthquake alarm in Cuba?
The precise cause of the false earthquake alarm remains unclear, but it is suspected that a security vulnerability allowed an unauthorized mass notification. The Android Earthquake Alerts System has also been considered as a potential factor.
How has ETECSA responded to the incident?
As of now, ETECSA has not provided a definitive cause for the alarm. There is ongoing criticism regarding their lack of reinvestment in infrastructure, despite significant revenue intake.
What impact did the alarm have on the Cuban population?
The false alarm caused widespread panic, leading people in various provinces to evacuate their homes and workplaces, seeking safety in open areas due to fears of an impending earthquake.