Argentine President, Alberto Fernández (pictured) says he plans to make internet provision in the country a public service so that companies no longer “cheat us with the rates”.
“It is unthinkable to live in a world where connectivity does not reach everyone,” Mr Fernández said.
“They [the companies] get angry because I say that the internet is a public utility…get angry,” he said.
“We are going to make the internet a public service so that it reaches all Argentine men and women and that the companies do not cheat us or rob us with their rates.”
Mr Fernández has issued a decree making telephone, internet, and pay TV public utilities, which generated a strong reaction within the telecommunications companies, raising harsh criticism against the ruling party.
Earlier, the President announced the Argentina Program which would to train 60,000 young people from all over the country in computer programming.
The Program would also subsidise the purchase of technology devices and the issuance of free internet connection cards.
“I continue to keep the revolutionary condition alive and that is why I vindicate things that have to do with human freedoms, which I’m never going to stop defending,” he said.
Mr Fernández also called on the youth who would benefit from the Argentina Program to “assemble all your forces and rebellions; I need all of you mobilised and demanding”.
He slammed growing support for the right-wing Libertarian Front.
“There are Libertarians who talk about freedoms and tell young people to take to the streets to fight.”
“I know that speech well. That freedom is for some and catastrophe and hardship for millions,” Mr Fernández said.
Buenos Aires, 12 August 2021
