Emmanuel Lemus, the father of Amanda Lemus Ortiz, the young girl who underwent a liver transplant in Spain this past March, has expressed his frustration with ETECSA over the challenges he faces in communicating with his family in Cuba.
Emmanuel, who has been in Madrid for six months with his daughter and wife, criticized the poor service provided by the company, which has made it nearly impossible for him to speak with loved ones in Sancti Spíritus.
"I can't talk to my family. Some don't have internet, others don't have cell phones, and the rest don't have electricity to maintain communication. (...) The service, which is mostly paid for from outside Cuba despite being very expensive, is delivered in the worst possible way by ETECSA," he wrote on his Facebook page.
"I don't like writing about what everyone already knows, but I'm tired of wasting time trying to check if they're 'okay' through a broken conversation that raises anyone's blood pressure and always ends with 'I'll call you later,'" he emphasized.
The dedicated father, who didn't hesitate to donate a portion of his liver for his daughter's transplant, says he is fed up with staying silent, hoping things would improve, only to realize that his silence is partly to blame for his family's struggles.
Frustration and a Taste of Freedom
"You've tasted freedom and know how good it feels," commented a Cuban residing in the United States on Lemus’ post.
"You know that in a country without dictatorship, you are respected and valued, and you can live honorably with your work, be it better or worse, but you live and eat. But now, you face the frustration of wanting to make those left behind understand that you only live once and that you don't have to put up with all of that," he added.
Emmanuel celebrated his birthday on August 29 with the joy of seeing his daughter recovered and living a normal life after her surgery in Spain, following what he described as abandonment by the Cuban healthcare system.
Activist Lara Crofs, who led a campaign to raise awareness about Amanda's case, described the sacrifices Emmanuel made as a father.
"He cooked, cleaned, organized, and went to the hospital up to three times a day. A tremendous father and husband, I saw him suffer, filled with anger over the evasive and empty responses we got in this country. His daughter was teetering between life and death, and he did whatever was necessary to save her, even risking his own life," she detailed.
Understanding the Issues with ETECSA
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the issues Emmanuel Lemus has faced with ETECSA and the broader implications for Cuban citizens.
Why is ETECSA's service considered poor?
ETECSA's service is criticized for its unreliability, high costs, and frequent outages, making it difficult for many Cubans to maintain consistent communication.
How does the Cuban government affect telecommunications?
The Cuban government's tight control over telecommunications and lack of investment in infrastructure contribute to the poor quality of services provided by state-run companies like ETECSA.
What challenges do Cubans face in staying connected with family abroad?
Cubans often struggle with limited access to internet and telecommunications services, high costs, and frequent power outages, making it difficult to maintain regular contact with family members living abroad.
What are the broader implications of poor telecommunications services in Cuba?
Poor telecommunications services hinder not only personal communication but also economic development, access to information, and overall quality of life for Cuban citizens.