Cubalex warns of an escalation of repression by the Cuban regime against university students who have publicly spoken out against the exorbitant rates imposed by the state telecommunications monopoly, ETECSA. The reports reveal a pattern of systematic harassment, intimidation, and censorship, with actions that violate fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and access to information.
Direct pressure and arbitrary summons
Students of the University of Medical Sciences of Granma have been subjected to strong pressure by the authorities. Both they and their families have received calls from private numbers and have been summoned to National Revolutionary Police (PNR) stations, where they are required to sign letters of “retraction” for the statements they have published denouncing the fare hike.
Fear and intimidation at the University of Oriente
From the University of Oriente, an anonymous tip He warned about the climate of fear among students. During a meeting with administrators, several students expressed that “Cuba is a failed state,” but fear reprisals for speaking out. The situation was described as “very tense.”.
It was also reported that university residences lacked lighting in key areas such as the buildings and the stairwell. Following student complaints, the lights were installed immediately, which has been interpreted as a maneuver to demobilize future protests.
Institutional censorship and structural complicity
In a anonymous letter Sent by students from the Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas, the letter denounced institutional censorship and the complicity of the University Student Federation (FEU) in supporting the measures imposed by ETECSA. The letter also warned of the criminalization of student protests and the lack of transparency in negotiations between university officials and state authorities.
According to the testimony, the intimidating presence of State Security agents on campuses has intensified, along with the use of academic structures to manipulate and directly intimidate those who express discontent.
Agents interrogating and harassing students
He The Observatory of Academic Freedom (OLA) reported Plainclothes agents appeared at CUJAE and the Central University of Las Villas to interrogate several students. In some cases, the repression has extended to their homes: State Security has appeared at the residences of students identified as leaders, threatening them with expulsion and also pressuring their families.
A state response that represses the protest
State repression is a direct response to complaints against ETECSA, which students have accused of violating the right to freedom of expression and access to information with rates that deepen the digital divide and social exclusion.
These actions demonstrate a pattern of institutional violence characterized by intimidation, surveillance, censorship, digital coercion, and the complicity of academic structures.
The repression is not limited to the university setting. Activists who have publicly expressed their support for the student strike and have shared messages of solidarity on social media have also been harassed, arbitrarily summoned, and intimidated by State Security.
One of these cases is that of activist and researcher Miryorly García Prieto, who was summoned, interrogated and threatened for her publications rejecting the ETECSA rate hike and supporting the university strike.
In a social media post, Miryorly denounced The summons —delivered on June 10 with only 45 minutes' notice— was intended to issue him a warning, the content of which he described as false and manipulative, which is why he refused to sign it.
The report accused her of sharing posts that allegedly “incited public disorder” and questioned the veracity of the information disseminated. However, Miryorly stated:
“The only falsehood here is such an accusation. What I have published only promotes responsibility and civic action among the people, especially university students, in the face of unjust measures imposed by the government..”
During the interrogation, She was threatened with being charged with “disobedience” if she continued publishing. This criminal charge has been systematically used in Cuba to criminalize activism and punish the exercise of freedom of expression.
The student and activist was also repressed Raymar Aguado Hernández, He was arbitrarily detained after refusing to appear at an illegal summons. Police officers arrived at his home and took him in a patrol car to be interrogated at State Security headquarters.
The day before, the Cayo Hueso sector chief, identified as Oribel Díaz, had come to his house to deliver the summons. When he refused to sign it, Raymar was threatened with being “hunted down” and suffering “consequences” if he did not attend.
In a video shared on social media, Raymar publicly denounced the arbitrariness of the procedure and reaffirmed his right to support the university strike and reject the fare hike.
In neither case was the official reason for the summons communicated, which reinforces its arbitrary and intimidating nature.
These actions not only constitute an offensive against Cuban youth, but also a serious violation of internationally protected rights. Protesting, expressing oneself freely, and organizing cannot be criminalized.