Cuba to Allow Private Wi-fi Networks and Cybercafes
And the import of routers
HAVANA TIMES – The Cuban government announced its decision today to allow the creation of private wi-fi networks, cybercafes and the import of routers, reported dpa news.
The new rules, which will enter into force in late July, make legal thousands of homemade networks which are currently illegal but tolerated by the government in most cases.
Restaurants and bars will also be able to offer their customers internet connections, which have only been available at hotels. The move will also be popular among tourists.
Cuba has been one of the countries with the least access to the internet, a situation that critics attribute partly to attempts to repress free speech.
However, President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who took office in April 2018, has said he wants to see improved internet connectivity.
The Cuban government routinely censors numerous independent Cuban websites such as Diario de Cuba, Cubanet, Cubaencuentro, 14ymedio, el Estornudo, Tremenda Nota, etc.
Well-written Carlyle.
Thanking the Castro puppet Diaz-Canel is a little like thanking the wife-beater for beating his wife less.
Never underestimate the power of the people. This is singularly the most important, life changing thing to happen since the First Revolution. This could be, in effect, the Second Revolution. It’s not yet universal internet but it’s a small yet dramatic step to allow the Cuban people to express themselves and share ideas peacefully. Ultimately leading to a better life and to enjoy the freedom that we, in the west, take for granted. Congratulations President Diaz-Canel. May the New Revolution continue. Your wonderful people deserve it!
joel cook writes of the history of the US in Cuba and it certainly bears examination. US policies towards the Latin American countries and Cuba in particular have been a succession of political blunders of magnitude commencing with the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 (and apparently much beloved by John Bolton) to the Treaty of Paris of 1898 when Cuba was not even represented and a constitution imposed (even the original now housed in the Governors House in the Plaza d’Armas is in English not Spanish) followed in February 1901 by the humiliating Platt Amendment, to the 1903 Treaty of Relations used to justify US occupation from 1906-09 when William Taft the US Secretary of War appointed himself as Governor of Cuba – and again in 1912.
Although Batista was responsible for certain good works – the tunnel under the entrance to Havana harbour, the beautiful bridge that forms the entrance on the coastal road to Matanzas, the Tomb of Jose Marti in Santiago – adjacent to the rock inscribed FIDEL, he was undoubtedly corrupt and in cahoots with the Mafia – encouraged by the US until Dwight D. Eisenhower being a staunch protestant, in 1958 imposed the first US embargo which may have aided in the downfall of Batista.
The second (and current) US embargo was introduced in 1960, following the passing of the US Cuban Democracy Act. It’s purposes included the removal of the Castro regime, the holding of democratic multi-party elections and human rights. Although those objectives were admirable, the policy failed. However, the US ever dogmatic, clung on to it without considering change or alternatives, the consequence being that it provided the Castro regime with a whipping boy to excuse all its own incompetence and economic failures upon the US and to annually drag the same tired old resolution in front of the UN annually.
The introduction of the Helms-Burton Act in March 1996 was both naive and heavy handed, stating that any non-US company that dealt with Cuba could be subjected to legal action in the US, forcing non-US companies to choose between the US and Cuba. It offended the European Union which objected strongly and banned executives from countries dealing with Cuba from entry to the US – to date including some from Italy, Mexico, Canada and Israel.
But joel cook’s prayer that Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez should continue “to promote and preserve the Country” displays either an innocence about who rules the roost currently in Cuba, or an enthusiasm for the continued repression of the Cuban people by a totalitarian dictatorship. Diaz-Canel Bermudez is but President of the Council of Ministers, the First and Second Secretaries of the Communis Party of Cuba take precedence and they are Raul Castro Ruz and Machado Ventura. That was clarified by Diaz-Canel himself when following his inauguration and having the sash draped around his grey suit (it was complimentary to his hair colour) he said:
“Comrade Raul will continue to head the decisions for the present and future of the nation.”
So joel cook, was it innocence upon your part or an enthusiasm to keep the Cuban people in bondage under the dictatorial heel of communism?
Patria o Muerte…Yo diría Patria o Vida….suena mejor..El pueblo de Cuba no tiene un presidente,,tiene un títere puesto por el partido comunista,encabezado por Raúl Castro,.el mismo perro con distinto collar,,,lo primero q dijo Díaz Canal es q no esperen un cambio en Cuba,,,será la continuación de lo q empezó Castro,,que nunca más verán luces de neón en las calles como recordando el pasado capitalista de la ciudad,,,que pena prefiero las luces de neón como adornos que edificios en derrumbes y calles casi imposibles de transitar por su mal estado,,,,pero bueno parece q ese es el futuro prometedor de Cuba,,,más miseria y hambre,,más neseecidades,,más prostitución,,todo en nombre de una revolución fallida.
Cuba is beauty, Fidel did what he needed to preserve and promote his people, through sacrifice and hard work he kept Cuba, Cuba, the pride and knowledge of the Cuban people is second to none, I love Cuba and I know from the outside we see, restrictions, well the U.S has destroyed and erased many cultures and I am glad that Cuba had the strength to stand up to the Imperialist bullying of the U.S, look at the mess Puerto Rico is in, a lot of the hardships that they face are a direct result of the blockade, it should be lifted or at least updated, so that other Countries can invest in the economy and the people, The U.S laid claim to 90% of Cuba before the revolution and the literacy rate was 15%, now Cuba has one of the most educated populaces in the world, I pray that Miguel continues to promote and preserve the Country. Patria O Muerte, Siempre!
Only thank the President of the Cuban Council of Ministers when Cuba allows access to the full Internet. But methinks you have not grasped Lawrence that Diaz-Canel is only a puppet for Raul Castro Ruz. When appointed (and he was appointed by Raul) and having the sash draped around him, the first statement he made was:
“Comrade Raul will head the decisions for the present and future of the nation.”
In dictatorships, whether communist or fascist, one person controls – and in Cuba currently, that is Raul Castro Ruz.
How will folks in Cuba know that they have access to the full Internet? Just by entering into the search engine:
Raul Castro – executions.
ITS ABOUT TIME! THANKS PRESIDENT CANEL
Gareth, dream on!
Of course for now it is pay-for.
This is an amazing development. This could be the start of the New Revolution! (As long as it’s FREE!).