Havana Protests US Move To Increase Internet Access In Cuba
Faizan Hashmi Published February 01, 2018 | 11:19 PM
Havana has formally protested the creation of a US task force aimed at increasing internet access on the island, saying it "violates" Cuban "sovereignty."
Havana, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 01st Feb, 2018 ) :Havana has formally protested the creation of a US task force aimed at increasing internet access on the island, saying it "violates" Cuban "sovereignty." The communist-ruled island is one of the least connected countries in the world.
The US State Department has said the task force will February 7 with the goal of promoting "the free and unregulated flow of information in Cuba." It will examine "technological challenges and opportunities for expanding internet access and independent media in Cuba," it said.
Cuba on Wednesday lodged an "energetic protest" against Washington's "desire to flagrantly violate Cuban sovereignty concerning national laws regulating the flow of information," in a diplomatic note to the top US diplomat in Havana, Lawrence Gumbiner.
This "attempt to manipulate the internet ... for political and subversive purposes" is aimed at "altering or destabilizing the constitutional order" in Cuba, it said.
Havana demanded that Washington "cease its subversive, interventionist and illegal actions against Cuba." According to Cuban government figures, 40 percent of the island's 11 million inhabitants had internet access in 2017.
Yet despite recent government efforts to increase wifi availability, Cuba remains mostly offline due to expensive access, limited home connections, and the lack of a network allowing online access to mobile devices.
US-Cuba ties began to warm under president Barack Obama, with the countries exchanging ambassadors in 2015 for the first time since 1961. President Donald Trump, however, has taken a tougher approach towards Havana since taking office.
In his State of the Union speech Tuesday, Trump highlighted how his administration has "imposed tough sanctions on the communist and socialist dictatorships in Cuba and Venezuela."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Body found near Hassanabdal
Strengthening of institutions among top priorities of govt: Aleem Khan
Govt to eliminate curse of copy culture from Sindh forever: Minister
England rugby star Billy Vunipola convicted of assault in Mallorca
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Boy suffers burns while extinguishing fire in wheat field
Senate adopts Special Committee's 4 recommendations about Money Bill
Alcaraz passes 'test of fire', Sabalenka survives in Madrid Open
ATC awards punishment for terror accused with 14 year imprisonment
Austrian ambassador calls on Shafay Hussain
US stocks rise on tech outlook as yen rebounds
Forty-day ceasefire offered to Hamas: UK foreign secretary
More Stories From World
-
Forty-day ceasefire offered to Hamas: UK foreign secretary
1 hour ago -
Mining giants Vale, BHP propose $25 bn settlement over Brazil dam collapse
1 hour ago -
'It swept everything': Kenya villagers count toll of dam deluge
2 hours ago -
Nine face trial in Germany for alleged far-right coup plot
2 hours ago -
Kenya Airways suspends flights to Kinshasa over DR Congo detentions
3 hours ago -
'I walked and walked': Ukrainian grandmother, 97, flees bombed village
3 hours ago
-
Forty-day ceasefire offered to Hamas: UK foreign secretary
3 hours ago -
Six convicted amid fury over wildfires that killed 104 at Greek resort
3 hours ago -
Takeover of Italy's Ariston a response to 'hostile actions': Russia
3 hours ago -
IsDB, Arab Coordination Group, SFD join Global Partnership to raise $500 million for education initi ..
3 hours ago -
Struggling Turkish grocery app Getir exits US, Europe
3 hours ago -
Rubiales denies 'irregularities' in Spanish football corruption probe
3 hours ago