The Cuban @yarys6 reflected on TikTok about the criticisms some from the island have directed at their emigrated relatives for their votes in the recent U.S. presidential elections, in which Donald Trump returned to the White House.
"I'm left feeling crazy," says Yarys in the video description, before clearly and with frustration explaining how challenging it is to balance her life in the U.S. with the expectations and criticisms from her family in Cuba.
In the video, which has already garnered over 1,400 likes, Yarys describes the reality faced by many immigrants who sacrifice a significant portion of their income and personal well-being to send aid to their families on the island. “You arrive in this country, go through countless jobs, and when you finally start to settle in a bit, you limit yourself in so many ways and give up a lot to be able to help your family back in Cuba,” she explains. The creator notes that many Cubans who have emigrated must cut back on purchases and personal expenses in order to send money, and despite all of this, they do not always receive understanding in return.
She says, “No, I can’t do that right now because we have to send this money to my family over there,” explaining in the video that their efforts are not always recognized. Yarys also mentions cases of immigrants who arrived in the U.S. and, after exhausting all their savings, managed to bring family members through a perilous migration journey, housed them in their homes, and provided support for months. However, some of these very relatives now question their political decisions: “On top of all that, now you have to endure being called a son of a bitch because you exercised your right to vote, because you voted for something that would benefit you, and did not think of them.”
The content creator also highlights the inconsistency of this situation, reminding us that the true culprit behind the difficult circumstances in Cuba is not those who have emigrated, but the Cuban regime. “Now you are to blame, not Canel, not the Communist Party, for making Cubans sell their homes in pursuit of their dreams to come here,” Yarys emphasizes, referring to the harsh conditions that force many Cubans to seek a future outside the country. However, despite this, she points out that some on the island believe the real blame lies with the relatives who voted with their own needs and the stability of their life in the U.S. in mind: “No, no, no, you are to blame because you decided to vote for what was best for you and your family.”
Her testimony has resonated deeply with her followers, who began sharing their own perspectives and similar experiences. Users expressed their support while voicing the same frustration over the misunderstanding from some family members. "Oh, my family's upset because I voted for progress. They say now they’re really going to die. I was also left stunned"; "The people of Cuba choosing the president of the United States"; "It's a constant, never-ending sacrifice, and you never come out well." Others emphasized the need to prioritize their own lives: "We are now American citizens, and as such, we must think and vote accordingly."
This issue has gained prominence among Cubans in the U.S. following Donald Trump's election victory with 277 electoral votes in a historic contest against current Vice President Kamala Harris. The Republican's win, particularly in states with large Latino populations like Florida, has been decisive and has sparked intense debate within the Cuban community, dividing opinions between those seeking to improve their lives in the U.S. and those on the island who view Trump as a threat.
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