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Gulf Today
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Cuban students fully reject dollarization
Jordane Bertrand, Agence France-Presse It took a steep hike in mobile internet tariffs to unleash a rebellion among Cuban students on a scale unseen since the 1959 revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power. The new pricing structure, which came into effect on May 30, punished people who exceeded their meager monthly data limit of six gigabytes with steep fees. On top of that, it made rates cheaper to top up in dollars than in Cuba's own currency, the peso. State telecommunications company Etecsa said the increases were necessary to fund investments in the mobile network. But it was also seen as a ploy by the cash-strapped communist government to bring in much-needed foreign currency. Students in particular reacted angrily to the measure, which not only makes it harder for them to stay connected, but deepens the chasm on the island between dollar-toting haves and peso-using have-nots. In rare scenes throughout the one-party state, students at several universities organized a boycott of classes, and students' unions issued statements rejecting the reform. Anxious to avoid a repeat of the protests that rocked the island in July 2021, when thousands of people demonstrated over shortages of basic goods, the government has taken a conciliatory approach. The Havana students' union this week announced the creation of a discussion group with students, teaching staff from a dozen university faculties in Havana, and Etecsa's representatives. But on social media, students say they have come under pressure from security forces to fall in line. In a video shared on social media, which AFP was unable to verify, a medical student claims she was threatened by a state security agent on campus with being taken to "an official place where you won't be able to use your phone." The protests have ballooned into a wider mobilization over the subtle dollarization of the Cuban economy. Students at the University of Holguin's law faculty in eastern Cuba issued a statement denouncing the new mobile tariffs as "elitist and classist" and said the growing shift towards dollars was an affront to the principle of equal rights. In another viral video, a medical student at the University of Havana warned that the currency of the United States was becoming the country's "flagship currency." For opposition activist Manuel Cuesta Morua, the protests mark a return to the kind of activism last seen on campuses in the 1950s, which forged the revolutionary careers of Castro and others. Today's students are spearheading "a revolution within the revolution," Cuesta Morua said, adding that their tirades against inequality marked a return to the "original discourse of a revolution that became militarized and more conservative" over time. The row over the internet fees comes amid the emergence of a two-speed society on the communist island, which is mired in its worst economic crisis in 30 years. Inflation rose by 190 percent between 2018 and 2023, according to official figures, eroding the value of the peso against the dollar. Food, fuel and medicine are all in short supply. Cubans who receive dollar remittances from relatives abroad fare better, with well-stocked dollar payment grocery stores and gas stations only too happy to serve them. In January, the government announced a partial dollarization of the economy, claiming it wanted to get its hands on some of the greenbacks. But mobile top-ups in dollars were "the last straw" for many, according to Tamarys Bahamonde, a Cuban economist at American University in Washington. In a joint manifesto, students from various faculties in Havana made it clear they were not "opposed to the government nor the revolution but to specific policies that betray its (egalitarian) ideal." For Bahamonde, the crisis underscores the widening gulf between Cuba's decision-makers and its citizens. To win over the students, Etecsa last week announced that they would be allowed two monthly top-ups at the basic rate of 360 pesos ($3), compared with one for the rest of the population. But the students rejected the offer, saying they wanted everyone to benefit. For activist Cuesta Morua, their reaction was proof that young Cubans, rather than the government, have become the voice of the people. "It is the students... who are representing the country's concerns."
The Star
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Betraying the revolution: Cuban students reject dollarisation
People use their mobile phones in Havana on June 10, 2025. Cuba's new mobile internet tariffs triggered an awakening among university students not seen since before the triumph of the revolution, in a mobilisation that reflects social exasperation at the growing dollarisation of the economy, falling living standards, and inequality. — AFP HAVANA: It took a steep hike in mobile internet tariffs to unleash a rebellion among Cuban students on a scale unseen since the 1959 revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power. The new pricing structure, which came into effect on May 30, punished people who exceeded their meager monthly data limit of six gigabytes with steep fees. On top of that, it made rates cheaper to top up in dollars than in Cuba's own currency, the peso. State telecommunications company Etecsa said the increases were necessary to fund investments in the mobile network. But it was also seen as a ploy by the cash-strapped communist government to bring in much-needed foreign currency. Students in particular reacted angrily to the measure, which not only makes it harder for them to stay connected, but deepens the chasm on the island between dollar-toting haves and peso-using have-nots. In rare scenes throughout the one-party state, students at several universities organised a boycott of classes, and students' unions issued statements rejecting the reform. Anxious to avoid a repeat of the protests that rocked the island in July 2021, when thousands of people demonstrated over shortages of basic goods, the government has taken a conciliatory approach. The Havana students' union this week announced the creation of a discussion group with students, teaching staff from a dozen university faculties in Havana, and Etecsa's representatives. But on social media, students say they have come under pressure from security forces to fall in line. In a video shared on social media, which AFP was unable to verify, a medical student claims she was threatened by a state security agent on campus with being taken to "an official place where you won't be able to use your phone." The protests have ballooned into a wider mobilisation over the subtle dollarisation of the Cuban economy. Students at the University of Holguin's law faculty in eastern Cuba issued a statement denouncing the new mobile tariffs as "elitist and classist" and said the growing shift towards dollars was an affront to the principle of equal rights. In another viral video, a medical student at the University of Havana warned that the currency of the United States was becoming the country's "flagship currency." For opposition activist Manuel Cuesta Morua, the protests mark a return to the kind of activism last seen on campuses in the 1950s, which forged the revolutionary careers of Castro and others. Today's students are spearheading "a revolution within the revolution," Cuesta Morua said, adding that their tirades against inequality marked a return to the "original discourse of a revolution that became militarised and more conservative" over time. Not against communism The row over the Internet fees comes amid the emergence of a two-speed society on the communist island, which is mired in its worst economic crisis in 30 years. Inflation rose by 190% between 2018 and 2023, according to official figures, eroding the value of the peso against the dollar. Food, fuel and medicine are all in short supply. Cubans who receive dollar remittances from relatives abroad fare better, with well-stocked dollar payment grocery stores and gas stations only too happy to serve them. 'Last straw' In January, the government announced a partial dollarisation of the economy, claiming it wanted to get its hands on some of the greenbacks. But mobile top-ups in dollars were "the last straw" for many, according to Tamarys Bahamonde, a Cuban economist at American University in Washington. In a joint manifesto, students from various faculties in Havana made it clear they were not "opposed to the government nor the revolution but to specific policies that betray its (egalitarian) ideal." For Bahamonde, the crisis underscores the widening gulf between Cuba's decision-makers and its citizens. To win over the students, Etecsa last week announced that they would be allowed two monthly top-ups at the basic rate of 360 pesos (RM63), compared with one for the rest of the population. But the students rejected the offer, saying they wanted everyone to benefit. For activist Cuesta Morua, their reaction was proof that young Cubans, rather than the government, have become the voice of the people. "It is the students... who are representing the country's concerns." – AFP
France 24
13-06-2025
- Business
- France 24
Betraying the revolution: Cuban students reject dollarization
The new pricing structure, which came into effect on May 30, punished people who exceeded their meager monthly data limit of six gigabytes with steep fees. On top of that, it made rates cheaper to top up in dollars than in Cuba's own currency, the peso. State telecommunications company Etecsa said the increases were necessary to fund investments in the mobile network. But it was also seen as a ploy by the cash-strapped communist government to bring in much-needed foreign currency. Students in particular reacted angrily to the measure, which not only makes it harder for them to stay connected, but deepens the chasm on the island between dollar-toting haves and peso-using have-nots. In rare scenes throughout the one-party state, students at several universities organized a boycott of classes, and students' unions issued statements rejecting the reform. Anxious to avoid a repeat of the protests that rocked the island in July 2021, when thousands of people demonstrated over shortages of basic goods, the government has taken a conciliatory approach. The Havana students' union this week announced the creation of a discussion group with students, teaching staff from a dozen university faculties in Havana, and Etecsa's representatives. But on social media, students say they have come under pressure from security forces to fall in line. In a video shared on social media, which AFP was unable to verify, a medical student claims she was threatened by a state security agent on campus with being taken to "an official place where you won't be able to use your phone." The protests have ballooned into a wider mobilization over the subtle dollarization of the Cuban economy. Students at the University of Holguin's law faculty in eastern Cuba issued a statement denouncing the new mobile tariffs as "elitist and classist" and said the growing shift towards dollars was an affront to the principle of equal rights. In another viral video, a medical student at the University of Havana warned that the currency of the United States was becoming the country's "flagship currency." For opposition activist Manuel Cuesta Morua, the protests mark a return to the kind of activism last seen on campuses in the 1950s, which forged the revolutionary careers of Castro and others. Today's students are spearheading "a revolution within the revolution," Cuesta Morua said, adding that their tirades against inequality marked a return to the "original discourse of a revolution that became militarized and more conservative" over time. Not against communism The row over the internet fees comes amid the emergence of a two-speed society on the communist island, which is mired in its worst economic crisis in 30 years. Inflation rose by 190 percent between 2018 and 2023, according to official figures, eroding the value of the peso against the dollar. Food, fuel and medicine are all in short supply. Cubans who receive dollar remittances from relatives abroad fare better, with well-stocked dollar payment grocery stores and gas stations only too happy to serve them. 'Last straw' In January, the government announced a partial dollarization of the economy, claiming it wanted to get its hands on some of the greenbacks. But mobile top-ups in dollars were "the last straw" for many, according to Tamarys Bahamonde, a Cuban economist at American University in Washington. In a joint manifesto, students from various faculties in Havana made it clear they were not "opposed to the government nor the revolution but to specific policies that betray its (egalitarian) ideal." For Bahamonde, the crisis underscores the widening gulf between Cuba's decision-makers and its citizens. To win over the students, Etecsa last week announced that they would be allowed two monthly top-ups at the basic rate of 360 pesos ($3), compared with one for the rest of the population. But the students rejected the offer, saying they wanted everyone to benefit. For activist Cuesta Morua, their reaction was proof that young Cubans, rather than the government, have become the voice of the people. "It is the students... who are representing the country's concerns."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Betraying the revolution: Cuban students reject dollarization
It took a steep hike in mobile internet tariffs to unleash a rebellion among Cuban students on a scale unseen since the 1959 revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power. The new pricing structure, which came into effect on May 30, punished people who exceeded their meager monthly data limit of six gigabytes with steep fees. On top of that, it made rates cheaper to top up in dollars than in Cuba's own currency, the peso. State telecommunications company Etecsa said the increases were necessary to fund investments in the mobile network. But it was also seen as a ploy by the cash-strapped communist government to bring in much-needed foreign currency. Students in particular reacted angrily to the measure, which not only makes it harder for them to stay connected, but deepens the chasm on the island between dollar-toting haves and peso-using have-nots. In rare scenes throughout the one-party state, students at several universities organized a boycott of classes, and students' unions issued statements rejecting the reform. Anxious to avoid a repeat of the protests that rocked the island in July 2021, when thousands of people demonstrated over shortages of basic goods, the government has taken a conciliatory approach. The Havana students' union this week announced the creation of a discussion group with students, teaching staff from a dozen university faculties in Havana, and Etecsa's representatives. But on social media, students say they have come under pressure from security forces to fall in line. In a video shared on social media, which AFP was unable to verify, a medical student claims she was threatened by a state security agent on campus with being taken to "an official place where you won't be able to use your phone." The protests have ballooned into a wider mobilization over the subtle dollarization of the Cuban economy. Students at the University of Holguin's law faculty in eastern Cuba issued a statement denouncing the new mobile tariffs as "elitist and classist" and said the growing shift towards dollars was an affront to the principle of equal rights. In another viral video, a medical student at the University of Havana warned that the currency of the United States was becoming the country's "flagship currency." For opposition activist Manuel Cuesta Morua, the protests mark a return to the kind of activism last seen on campuses in the 1950s, which forged the revolutionary careers of Castro and others. Today's students are spearheading "a revolution within the revolution," Cuesta Morua said, adding that their tirades against inequality marked a return to the "original discourse of a revolution that became militarized and more conservative" over time. - Not against communism - The row over the internet fees comes amid the emergence of a two-speed society on the communist island, which is mired in its worst economic crisis in 30 years. Inflation rose by 190 percent between 2018 and 2023, according to official figures, eroding the value of the peso against the dollar. Food, fuel and medicine are all in short supply. Cubans who receive dollar remittances from relatives abroad fare better, with well-stocked dollar payment grocery stores and gas stations only too happy to serve them. - 'Last straw' - In January, the government announced a partial dollarization of the economy, claiming it wanted to get its hands on some of the greenbacks. But mobile top-ups in dollars were "the last straw" for many, according to Tamarys Bahamonde, a Cuban economist at American University in Washington. In a joint manifesto, students from various faculties in Havana made it clear they were not "opposed to the government nor the revolution but to specific policies that betray its (egalitarian) ideal." For Bahamonde, the crisis underscores the widening gulf between Cuba's decision-makers and its citizens. To win over the students, Etecsa last week announced that they would be allowed two monthly top-ups at the basic rate of 360 pesos ($3), compared with one for the rest of the population. But the students rejected the offer, saying they wanted everyone to benefit. For activist Cuesta Morua, their reaction was proof that young Cubans, rather than the government, have become the voice of the people. "It is the students... who are representing the country's concerns." jb-lp/cb/jgc
The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Cuba's students call for resignations and strikes after brutal internet price hike
Having endured electricity blackouts, water shortages, transport failures and the spiralling cost of food, Cuba's students appear to have finally lost patience with their government over a ferocious price hike for the country's faltering internet. Local chapters of Cuba's Federation of University Students (FEU) have been calling for a slew of measures, including attendance strikes, explanations from ministers and even the resignation of their own organisation's president. Trouble began when Etecsa, Cuba's state-owned communications monopoly, recently increased prices for its mobile data without giving notice. While it offered 6GB a month at a subsidised rate of 360 pesos (about $1 at black market rates), prices would rise to 3,360 pesos ($9) for the next 3GB. There was immediate uproar across a country where monthly state wages start at 2,100 pesos ($5.70) and the internet has become the route by which much of the population hears news, buys necessities, runs small businesses and communicates with relatives abroad. The average Cuban uses 10GB a month, according to the government. The students, some of whom called their protest 'brave, revolutionary and respectful', said that while the internet was the trigger, real anger is aimed at Cuba's communist government's increasing reliance on US dollars. In recent months, state supermarkets have opened across Cuba that only accept hard currencies. Gasoline stations are switching away from the peso. There are rumours electricity is about to follow. Each of these measures comes with foreign packages that encourage Cubans to ask their relatives abroad to pay. 'The ultimate responsibility for the problem falls not on the managers and employees [of Etecsa] but on those who implemented a chaotic, if not non-existent, economic model,' read a statement from the Telecommunications and Electrical Engineering department at CUJAE, one of Havana's universities. Tania Velázquez, Etecsa's president, tried to explain on state television. 'We find ourselves in an extremely critical situation due to the lack of foreign currency and the significant reduction in revenue in recent years,' she said. But the student body of Havana University's mathematics and computer sciences faculty (Matcom), swiftly expressed a widely held skepticism that any new money raised would lead to improvements. It asked for a meeting with 'those primarily responsible for the measures taken, where the context under which they were taken is clarified in details and transparency'. Meanwhile, it called for its students to stay away from classes. The government blamed the six-decade old US embargo but, clearly concerned, responded. Miguel Diaz Canel, Cuba's president, called the students 'beloved', organised meetings with students, and suggested the error had been one of communication. A concession was offered: a second highly subsidised package for university students alone. This was met with scorn by the engineering students from CUJAE, who called it 'an attempt to silence the student vanguard'. The protests have left the government's usual critics in Miami wrong-footed as well, as they do not conform to the left/right debate that rages across the Florida Straits. Many student bodies made it clear they felt Etecsa's move does not conform to the principles of the Cuban revolution, quoting revolutionary heroes including Fidel Castro. It reflects a growing sense on the island that the government is moving away from its socialist principles, while not liberalising the economy enough to allow people to earn the money now needed to live. Founded in 1922, the FEU once fought against Cuba's pre-revolutionary dictatorships, but has been quiet since. Michael Bustamante, chair of Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami, said: 'I don't think there is any comparable pushback to a government measure on this scale since university autonomy ended as it existed prior to the revolution.' But the measures do come at a tough time for final year students, with only about two weeks of the semester to run, followed by important exams. On Monday, Matcom voted to return to their classes, despite the new rates 'not being validated by real and convincing data'. Transgressions in Cuba, political or otherwise, can lead to lifelong consequences for students, losing not only the ability to graduate, but also to find jobs. A mother of a psychology student expressed her fears: 'I support my daughter in whatever she decides,' she said. 'But I feel her ambivalence and anguish. Her heart wants to be involved, but common sense tells her that she has to graduate.' But another student, who asked to remain nameless, said a precedent has been set: 'This has awakened something historic,' she said. 'We have gained confidence and organisation for everything that troubles us in the future.' Eileen Sosin contributed reporting
