Cuban comedian and actor Ulises Toirac took to Facebook to express a scathing critique of ETECSA and a regime official who defended the ceiling of 360 Cuban pesos (CUP) per month for mobile Internet, claiming it was sufficient for family communication.
Toirac responded with biting sarcasm, dismissing the justification as a "plantation" mindset that treats citizens like "inventory items with a metal tag on their backs."
"This gets my heart racing because they talk about 176 neoliberal, absolutely capitalist measures, yet the plantation mentality remains alive and well," he stated, pointing directly at the economic transformations approved by the government in June.
Internet's Role Beyond Family Communication
The actor strongly opposed the idea that Internet access should be limited to family communication, advocating for its importance as a tool for work, education, and knowledge: "Millions of people worldwide, every second, are adding to their content and applications in a rapidly accelerating wave."
He also offered a piece of advice to the official who made the comment: "Spend more time with your family, as you'll need it when the roof collapses and the plane leaves without you."
The ETECSA Monopoly Under Fire
The brunt of Toirac's criticism was directed at ETECSA, the state monopoly on telecommunications. In May 2025, the company hiked mobile Internet prices by 13 times, boosting daily revenue from roughly $10,000 to $540,000, as confirmed by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero. Yet, the service quality remained unchanged.
"ETECSA's price hike is causing a huge outcry over supposed scammers. I question what kind of service is paid for — in cold, hard foreign cash — and doesn't deliver even the lowest quality. All while enforcing a single provider known for its abysmal performance and mismanagement of funds," wrote Toirac.
He delivered a blunt verdict: "What do you call a service with all these traits? Highway robbery."
Demanding Accountability and Alternatives
Lastly, Toirac described ETECSA as "a communications company that doesn't report, doesn't accept claims, and doesn't communicate, yet charges you."
This post is part of a series of criticisms from Toirac toward the state monopoly, where he has repeatedly demanded accountability for the millions collected, reinvestment in infrastructure, or alternatives like Starlink.
In August, Toirac had already lashed out at ETECSA, calling for genuine investment instead of more excuses, and sarcastically inquired in another post, "Where can I report ETECSA, UNE, and foreign currency stores for price gouging and scams?"
Understanding ETECSA's Controversy
Why did Ulises Toirac criticize ETECSA?
Ulises Toirac criticized ETECSA for significantly raising mobile Internet prices without improving service quality, describing the situation as "highway robbery."
What was the government's justification for the Internet price cap?
A regime official justified the 360 CUP per month Internet price cap by stating it was enough for family communication, which Toirac criticized as a narrow perspective.
How did Toirac describe ETECSA's service?
Toirac described ETECSA's service as unaccountable, non-responsive to demands, and lacking communication, yet it continues to charge high prices.