Cuban University Students Stage Protests Over Rising Mobile Internet Costs

Cuban university students have taken to the streets in protest against new mobile internet rates, implemented by the state-run telecommunications company ETECSA. The new pricing structure, which came into effect on June 1, has sparked outrage due to significant increases for customers exceeding basic data packages and a partial dollarization of services.

The Federation of University Students (FEU) at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing called for a strike starting June 4, urging students to boycott classes. They stated that discussions with ETECSA leaders failed to address the public's concerns, emphasizing the need for the revocation of the new measures.

Another FEU branch, representing the Faculty of Philosophy, History, and Sociology, echoed the call for a complete repeal of ETECSA's new policies. In response, the University of Havana administration asserted on Facebook that teaching processes would continue uninterrupted, dismissing the protests as misaligned with the spirit of student engagement.

Despite the unrest, ETECSA announced that students would be allowed two monthly data top-ups in national currency, compared to one for the general population. However, this change did little to alleviate the frustrations among students. President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the discontent on social media, indicating that options for vulnerable groups, including students, are being explored.

Source: www.clarin.com