Havana to Obama: Internet in Cuba no Libre

Freedom of expression at the heart of Obama’s Cuba speech

When President Barack Obama landed in Cuba this week, one of the first things he did was tweet. But most Cubans didn't tweet back, didn't blog about it, didn't share it on Facebook.

In his speech to the Cuban people on Tuesday, he singled out the Internet as one of the key changes needed in Cuba. "The Internet should be available across the island so that Cubans can connect to the wider world and to one of the greatest engines of growth in human history," said Obama. "If you can't access information online, if you cannot be exposed to different points of view, you will not reach your full potential."

For the moment, Cuba remains in cyber darkness.

Cuba among worst countries to surf the web

Flickr: donkeyhotey/Creative Commons / Via Flickr: donkeyhotey

Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez calls Cuba "the island of the disconnected." Only 5 to 30 percent of Cubans on the island have access to the Internet, according to Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net 2015 report.

Cuba: the perfect destination if you are looking to really disconnect

Flickr: nanderson/Creative Commons / Via Flickr: nanderson

If you go to Cuba don’t expect to access YouTube and prepare to pay for slow connection. WiFi goes for between $2 and $10 an hour in a country where the average salary is about $20 a month.

Jagger can get no satisfaction. Cubans can get no Internet.

Rolling Stones / Via rollingstones.com

The Rolling Stones announced their Havana concert on Twitter but that’s not how most Cubans found out about it. Home Internet connections are forbidden and public access is limited. Freedom House labels Cuba the only “Not Free” nation in the Americas. Cuba’s freedom score is five points worse that Libya’s and two points worse than Iran’s.

Help unlock the Internet in Cuba

giphy.com / Via giphy.com

If you agree that no Internet is no good, sign this Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba Petition and help drive home the message to the Cuban government that access to information and communication on the Internet can no longer be denied.