A Cuban identified as David Ocaña, originally from Guanabo, La Habana del Este, is currently living on the streets in Wynwood, Miami, and is looking to reunite with his family, from whom he has not heard for years. His story was shared on social media by the project Conducta Dade, which highlights the reality of many abandoned Cuban migrants in the United States.
In the video, filmed from the street, David reflects with pauses and memories: “As for my family, I don’t even know where they are. They could be in central Florida, around Tampa and that area, or up there in Orlando... They don’t know where you are, uh, let’s see if they can find me. I’m from Guanabo beach... I came here as a kid, my name is David, David Ocaña... I’m already in my fifties, 52... My kids are all adults now, they work and do their jobs, and it’s good that they chose the right path, you know... Let’s see if I can find them, you know.”
The man asks to be recognized by family or friends who can help him reconnect with his surroundings.
The testimony generated multiple responses. Some users expressed sympathy for the situation and wished for a reunion with loved ones. Others debated the challenges of life in the United States compared to those in Cuba, reflecting opposing views: some claimed that "the U.S. is hell," while others countered that "hell is Cuba."
There were also messages from people claiming to have known him: one stated that she went to school with him at "Playa 71" in Guanabo, and another user commented in English that he studied with him at Nautilus School, which aligns with his account of having emigrated at a young age.
Some internet users reflected on the circumstances that can lead a person to live on the street, reminding us that "everyone knows their own story" and that "we can all make poor decisions in our youth."
The case of David is not an isolated one. In recent months, Conducta Dade (which has become a highly valuable social initiative within the Cuban community in Florida, as it promotes empathy and solidarity through its videos) has shared several testimonies of Cubans who are facing life without a roof in various cities across Florida. Among them, the story of Irán, a 68-year-old man from Guantánamo who survives in Miami amidst conflict, drugs, and threats, stands out as he seeks a new beginning.
Another recent story shared by the same project was about Rodolfo, an elderly Cuban diagnosed with schizophrenia who lives on the streets in Miami and barely remembers his name or his past, but he holds on to the hope of being recognized by someone close to him.
The case of Adalberto Martínez Rubier, a Cuban from Pinar del Río who is living on the streets in Orlando after undergoing brain surgery, was also reported. He relies on a wheelchair and the assistance of strangers to survive.
Stories like David's reflect not only the vulnerability of many migrants but also the strength of a community that, despite distance and adversity, continues to show gestures of support and brotherhood. The solidarity among Cubans in exile remains a bond that unites generations and keeps alive the hope of reuniting with their loved ones.
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