A Cuban residing in Ukraine shared her impressions of how Ukrainians perceive life in Cuba.
According to the account of Massiel Hernández Castro, the owner of the profile massi_h_c on TikTok, the prevailing ideas about Cuba in Ukraine range from the allure of a paradisiacal destination to the disconnect regarding the economic and social challenges that the Cuban people face on a daily basis.
The Ukrainians' perception of the island is influenced by cultural, touristic, and political narratives. On one hand, they see Cuba as a place filled with music, idyllic beaches, and lively dancers. On the other hand, it seems they are unaware of the serious issues facing the island.
In her brief explanation, the young woman concluded with a message to her followers: “Life in Cuba is more difficult than in Ukraine, even during the war.”
In a previous video, Massiel explained the reasons why she decided not to return to Cuba at the onset of the war in Ukraine.
The young woman explained that, although many suggested she return to her home country due to the war conflict, she believes that the daily problems in Cuba are more challenging than living in a country at war.
She mentioned the lack of public transportation, the inability to buy a coffee at a café, or to purchase clothing in stores—situations that, according to her, do not occur in Ukraine despite the conflict.
Massiel concluded that she would rather face the risks of war than the limitations of daily life in Cuba.
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