Cyber-Rebels in Cuba Defy State’s Limits

[Cruzan]

HAVANA — A growing underground network of young people armed with computer memory sticks, digital cameras and clandestine Internet hookups has been mounting some challenges to the Cuban government in recent months, spreading news that the official state media try to suppress.

Last month, students at a prestigious computer science university videotaped an ugly confrontation they had with Ricardo Alarcón, the president of the National Assembly.

Mr. Alarcón seemed flummoxed when students grilled him on why they could not travel abroad, stay at hotels, earn better wages or use search engines like Google. The video spread like wildfire through Havana, passed from person to person, and seriously damaged Mr. Alarcón’s reputation in some circles.

Something similar happened in late January when officials tried to impose a tax on the tips and wages of employees of foreign companies. Workers erupted in jeers and shouts when told about the new tax, a moment caught on a cellphone camera and passed along by memory sticks.

“It passes from flash drive to flash drive,” said Ariel, 33, a computer programmer, who, like almost everyone else interviewed for this article, asked that his last name not be used for fear of political persecution. “This is going to get out of the government’s hands because the technology is moving so rapidly.”

Cuban officials have long limited the public’s access to the Internet and digital videos, tearing down unauthorized satellite dishes and keeping down the number of Internet cafes open to Cubans. Only one Internet cafe remains open in Old Havana, down from three a few years ago.

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[KharmaTrain]

1. Memories Of Eastern Europe

In the early 90's, I interview a man named Stu Filer who had spent the end of the 80's traveling in Eastern Europe and witnessed the fall of several Communist regimes. When I asked him what he attributed to the sudden fall, he attributed it to the fax machine. The flow of information had gotten faster than the government could keep up with. Then then gave a big assist to VCRs and satellite systems that had opened the doors of information that had been supressed. He joked that the first thing most East Berliners did when the wall fell was to go shopping in West Berlin and then go home. The collapse was so quick and complete due to a populace that had adjusted to the system and found ways around it. I suspect Cuba has experienced a similar "silent revolution".

The new Castro regime is dancing on the head of a pin here. To survive the economy needs more and more dollars...tourist and ex-pats...and the only way to make that happen is to have an open door that U.S. citizens can sneak in and out. But inversely, those communication channels could work to undermine a 50 year old beaucracy that isn't keeping up with the demands of its citizens. It'd be interesting if the next revolution in Cuba is a velvet one.

[Mika]

2. No mention that the US sanctions prevent Cuba from connecting to the Caribbean f/o inet trunk?

Cuba has to rely on phone modems and satellite for www internet access. The fiber optic Caribbean trunk line is owned/operated by Cisco, and because Cisco is a US company the US Helms-Burton law prevents Cisco from allowing Cuba to connect. Therefore, Cuba has to ration and prioritize internet access. Government, health care, education, personal access - in that order.

Been there. Seen it.

[KharmaTrain]

3. Do They Backbone Through Jamaica?

Thank you for the information, I've wondered how Cuba connected to systems without directly involving American companies. I would also imagine having access to computers...especially ones fast enough to build "sticky" webpages has to be quite an exclusive club.

Couldn't they use direct satellite instead?

[Mika]

4. Cuba does use direct satellite. Very expensive.

This is the main reason so few have internet service at home. Its just too expensive - because of the US sanctions.

But the government of Cuba is prioritizing to meet the demands of the vast majority citizens who want social infrastructure.


Cuba computerising its health system
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/30531.html

Havana, Feb 14 (Prensa Latina) Cuba has undertaken computerising and creating national networks in Blood Banks, Nephrology and Medical Images.

Cuba is the second country in the world with such a product, only preceded by France.

Cuba is preparing a Computerised Health Register, Hospital Management System, Primary Health Care, Academic Affairs, Medical Genetic Projects, Neurosciences, and Educational Software.

The aim is to maintain quality health service free for the Cuban people, increase exchange among experts and boost research-development projects.

This was revealed at a trade exhibition 'Informatica 2007' currently on in Havana.

-

[KharmaTrain]

5. The More Communications The Better

It's good to see the country is somewhat pro-active in the worldwide dialogue that happens on the web, and that through it greater knowledge and understanding is spread. Hopefully a future Democratic U.S. President and government will take off the 1959 blinders and see how open communications...travel...education and commerce is the most effective "tool" this country has in spreading democratic values and in turn we get a better understanding of their culture.

Thank you for helping inform...

Cheers...