Students call for strikes over soaring internet costs

Having endured electricity blackouts, water shortages, transport failures and the spiralling cost of food, Cuba's students appeared to finally lose patience with their government last week over a ferocious price rise for the country's faltering internet.

- Ruaridh Nicoll HAVANA

Local chapters of Cuba’s Federation of University Students called for a slew of measures, including attendance strikes, explanations from ministers, and even the resignation of their own organisation’s president when he stuck to the government line.

Trouble began when Etecsa, the state-owned communications monopoly, increased prices for mobile data without 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. The average Cuban uses 10GB a month, according to the government.