Lisset Catalina, a Cuban content creator on TikTok, shared her experience as an immigrant in Uruguay through an emotional video, in which she responded to criticisms that others have made about the South American country, describing it as a difficult place to progress economically.
In her video, Lisset, @lorenzolisset on social media, shared her testimony on how she has managed to thrive in her new country of residence.
"For all those who say that Uruguay is a lousy country, that here you can't save money or help the family in Cuba, I don't think the same. This country opened its doors to me," she expressed at the beginning of the video, in response to the negative comments she has heard about Uruguay. The creator recounted how she arrived in the country with a small suitcase and few belongings, but over time, she has managed to acquire an apartment, a car to work in Uber, and a new motorcycle. She also mentioned that she recently obtained a loan to buy another car and expand her business.
"Sometimes people want everything to fall into their laps, and nothing falls from above," she added in her reflection, noting that success has taken effort and dedication, and that she and her husband needed two years to stabilize, facing challenges like hunger and cold. However, now she feels proud of what she has achieved in Uruguay, a country she claims she has no intention of leaving.
Throughout the video, this Cuban also expressed her gratitude to her husband, who motivated her not to give up when she thought about returning to Cuba: "Today I thank my husband who told me, if you want to go to Cuba, you pay for your ticket, and the girl stays."
"I love my Cuba and I hope that one day it will return to being the Cuba of before, but for now, my country is Uruguay and I do not plan to emigrate to any other country," he said firmly in his words.
Lisset's message resonated among her followers, many of whom left supportive comments. One user wrote to her: "Thank you, because your reflection gave me strength. I have been here for a year and a half and now I can't find a job. Today I turn 54 and it's hard for me, but you have given me strength." Another user, although skeptical, asked: "And what are you working on? Because it doesn't seem that easy here, believe me." In response to this question, Lisset clarified that she works for Uber, as well as cleaning houses and mowing lawns, doing "whatever comes up" to generate income.
On the other hand, there were also those who expressed doubts about the veracity of her account. "You didn't know Cuba before. It’s clear that you are neither poor nor is it true that you have gone through all that suffering. Such progress as a humble worker is not true. Don't lie to your compatriots," wrote a follower. However, other users defended her stance, stating that in Uruguay it is indeed possible to make progress with effort and discipline. "Here you can if you set your mind to it," commented another follower.
The video, which has garnered hundreds of comments and thousands of views, has sparked an intense debate about the experiences of emigrants in Uruguay and other Latin American countries. While some assert that success depends on personal effort, others argue that economic difficulties and a lack of opportunities make it challenging to achieve similar goals.
The Cuban, for her part, promised that in upcoming videos she would share more details about her life as an immigrant and an anecdote about a young Cuban she met in Uruguay, ending her message with a piece of advice: "With a lot of patience, everything comes."
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