Cuban Customs reports an increase in seizures at Cuban airports over the past week.

In recent hours, new seizures by the General Customs Office of the Republic of Cuba have emerged, in what can be interpreted as a reinforcement of its offensive against unauthorized items.

Such is the case with technological seizures. Amid a growing crackdown on independent internet connections, Cuban Customs reported a new seizure of equipment linked to the Starlink satellite service, operated by SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk. The seizure again took place at José Martí International Airport in Havana.

The information was released by William Pérez González, deputy head of Customs, who stated on his official account on X (formerly Twitter) that the attempt constituted a “violation of current legislation” and was thwarted by the actions of customs agents.

According to his statements, the devices were intended to enter undeclared, and he drew attention to the "diversity of models and ways of attempting to circumvent controls."

Starlink equipment in the government's sights

This latest seizure follows the one reported days earlier, when 20 Starlink terminals, also arriving on a flight from the United States, were prevented from entering the country. At that time, Pérez González explained that it was a planned operation with clear intentions to connect outside of Etecsa.

The Cuban government considers illegal any attempt to use networks outside its direct control, such as Starlink, whose signal originates from a constellation of low-orbit satellites. This technology allows internet connection without relying on terrestrial infrastructure like that used by the state-owned Etecsa, the only authorized provider in the country.

Warnings and technological repression

For weeks, authorities have stepped up their criticism of the use of these devices, insisting that they represent a "serious violation of current regulations" and warning that severe measures will be taken against those who attempt to use or sell them.

The latest seizure comes shortly after a similar operation in which Customs confiscated 85 routers, also at Havana airport, claiming that the quantity "reveals illegal intentions."

Although authorities have not specified what penalties will be applied to violators, they have confirmed that "the necessary measures" are being taken to address these cases.

Starlink in the Cuban informal market

Meanwhile, on the informal market, advertisements offering internet access via Starlink are multiplying for prices that can exceed $2000, taking advantage of the need for stable connectivity in areas where Etecsa faces serious limitations or constant interruptions.

These services, although operating clandestinely, have become increasingly common.unes in rural communities, private businesses and even in urban areas where Etecsa service is unstable.

For the government, this trend represents a direct threat to the telecommunications monopoly, but for many citizens, it offers an alternative way to access the internet without censorship or frequent outages.