U.S. Reps. Carlos Gimenez, (R-FL) and Mario Díaz-Balart, (R-FL), posted on social media encouraging and standing in solidarity with student protesters in Cuba.
“We're seeing once again in Cuba, students in the universities are protesting. They're protesting the lack of freedom. They're protesting the misery and the poverty created by that dictatorship of almost 70 years. It's important that they know that they're not alone, that we support them, and that while they're acting extremely bravely, they need to understand that we are with them.” Rep. Díaz-Balart said.
Rep.Gimenez clarified the reasons for the recent protests.
“This is another indication, another sign that this is the beginning of the end of that Communist regime that has been ruling in Cuba for close to 70 years. In this particular case, they are demonstrating against an 800% rise in Internet rates and communications rates.”
Gimenez would also claim that the Cuban regime is in possession of “about $500 million, all of it in the pocket of these thieves, these crooks that are destroying Cuba.”
On May 30, 2025 state telecommunications company, ETECSA, implemented a tariff price hike leaving them with only a few gigabytes of data per month as purchasing additional data had become exponentially more expensive.
ETECSA had given no prior warning to users of the increasing prices.
Rafael Gomez, a student from the University of Havana stated he was only left with 6GB of data which “is nothing and if you want to buy more, it costs over 3,000 pesos ($25), which you cannot afford on a regular Cuban salary." Gomez said in an interview with Agence France-Presse.
In response to the backlash from the student protesters, President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Sunday that the government was considering "options" for "the most vulnerable sectors, including our dear students."
Student leaders met with ETECSA executives on Monday and were able to work out a deal allowing students two monthly top-ups at 360 pesos ($3), compared to one for the rest of the Cuban population.
However, these concessions have failed to stem the anger of the students.
