Connectivity Rebellion: Cuba's Dual Society and the Roaring Student Protests
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Students in Cuba rally in opposition to the implementation of the U.S. dollar as the nation's currency.
A whopping hike in mobile Internet prices sparked an unprecedented student uprising in Cuba, mirroring protests last seen during the 1959 revolution. The outrage was fueled by the new tariff structure's punitive fees for exceeding the meager 6GB monthly limit and the cheaper rates for top-ups in US dollars over Cuba's own currency, the peso.
In a bid to generate further income, state telecom company Etecsa justified the price increase as necessary to fund mobile network improvements. However, many saw it as a ploy by the cash-strapped communist government to attract foreign currency.
The furious students, who already faced challenges accessing the digital world, felt the new pricing intensified the divide between dollar-rich and peso-poor island inhabitants. In response, students at multiple universities boycotted classes and published statements condemning the reform, while anxiously avoiding another wave of island-wide demonstrations that took place in July 2021.
Compromising and creating a dialogue was top priority for the government to quell the unrest. The Havana students' union announced the institution of a discussion group composed of students, faculty representatives from various universities in Havana, and Etecsa's reps. Yet, students expressed concerns about alleged pressure from security forces to relent.
Leaked videos on social media suggested students were threatened with consequences for not toeing the line. An instance of a medical student speaking on campus about being warned of being taken to an undisclosed location where she'd lose her phone sparked outrage.
The protests swelled into a bigger movement against the pervasive dollarization of the Cuban economy. Students at the University of Holguin's law faculty in eastern Cuba denounced the new tariffs as elitist and classist, viewing the shift towards dollars as an assault on the principle of equal rights.
Another viral video showcased a medical student from the University of Havana warning of the US dollar becoming the nation's de facto currency. Activist Manuel Cuesta Morua observed this as the return of campus activism akin to what existed in the 1950s, shaping the revolutionary careers of Fidel Castro and others.
The students today are igniting "a revolution within the revolution," emphasized Cuesta Morua, a sign of a return to the movement's original focus on inequality.
The dispute over the Internet fees is unfolding against the backdrop of a bifurcated society in communist Cuba, which grapples with its most severe economic crisis in 30 years. Inflation increased by 190% between 2018 and 2023, causing the peso to devalue dramatically against the dollar.
Scarcities of essential goods like food, fuel, and medicine persist, with Cubans dependent on dollar remittances from relatives abroad to meet their needs. A partial dollarization of the economy, implemented in January, has drawn criticism from economists who view it as the last straw for many Cubans, including Tamarys Bahamonde, an economist with American University in Washington.
In a joint communiqué, students from different faculties in Havana asserted they were not hostile to the government or the revolution but rather opposed to policies that contradict its egalitarian ideals.
According to Bahamonde, the crisis underscores the growing chasm between Cuba's decision-makers and its citizens, with the students forging a platform for the masses.
In a concession, Etecsa introduced a second monthly top-up at a basic rate of $3 for students in comparison to one for the general populace. However, students refused the offer, advocating for equitable access for all.
"It is the students," asserts Cuesta Morua, "who are expressing the nation's concerns."
Insight: Impacts of Cuba's Partial Dollarization
- Solidifies social divisions: The focus on dollars amplifies the divide between the well-off and left-behind citizens, leading to social exclusion.
- Stifles economic stability: The dual economy attrites economic stability by making planning and management complex.
- Inflation and currency devaluation: Rampant inflation and a weakened peso challenge the government in stabilizing the currency.
- Dependence on foreign currency: The economy's reliance on unstable foreign currency inflows poses a threat to essential service provision.
The student protests in Cuba, driven by an increase in mobile Internet prices, are a reflection of both politics and general-news, as they challenge the communist government's policies and express concerns about social inequality, particularly the divide between dollar-rich and peso-poor island inhabitants.
The students' unwillingness to retreat from their demand for equitable access to mobile Internet, despite offers from Etecsa, demonstrates their active engagement in politics and their commitment to upholding the principles of the Cuban Revolution, specifically its egalitarian ideals.
