"Hey, I'm going to make this little video because every time I hear a Cuban say that 98% of Cubans left Cuba due to economic problems, not political ones... Look, from the moment you turn 5 years old, you're already facing the political issues in Cuba." This is how a Cuban on TikTok begins his reflection, directly addressing those who claim that emigration from the Island is solely due to economic reasons, dismissing the political aspect.
User @jose.a.acosta498mm shares in his video how, from childhood, political indoctrination shapes the lives of Cubans: “At 5 years old, they teach you to chant communist slogans and start injecting politics into your veins. By the age of 5, in preschool, they already begin telling you ‘we will be like Che,’ ‘long live the revolution,’ and all that nonsense they teach you in Cuba.”
Then, he addresses the connection between politics and economics on the Island: “So, are you telling me that the economic problems of Cuba who creates them? Doesn't the government create them? Who is the government? Isn't the government the one that directs the country's politics? Then Cuba's economy is in distress because of the policies that the Cuban government enforces on the people.”
In his reflection, Jose criticizes how the political system hinders economic progress: "You cannot have 5 houses, you cannot have a car, you cannot have a restaurant that makes money, you cannot have anything. Why? Because of the politics that the government imposes on the people."
For him, every Cuban who emigrates does so for political reasons: “Every Cuban who has left Cuba left because of a political issue, and it is the policy that the government imposes on the people.” He concludes: “The policy of a government is what determines whether a people will act or not, whether they will prosper or not.”
The video sparked a wave of reactions. Some supported the reflection, like those who commented: “In Cuba, even breathing is political” or “I have a friend who opened a restaurant; it was going very well, and then they shut it down and imprisoned him.” However, there were also those who raised questions: “And now I ask you, how many houses, how many restaurants, and how many cars do you have outside of Cuba?”
Jose's message reignites the debate among Cubans both on and off the Island: is emigration truly driven by economic issues, or is politics the real engine behind this decision?
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Emigration and Its Motivations
Why do Cubans primarily emigrate from the island?
Although some argue that Cubans emigrate for economic reasons, many contend that the root of the problem is political. From childhood, Cubans experience political indoctrination, and the policies of the Cuban government are seen as the main cause of the economic crisis in the country.
How does the Cuban government's policy influence the country's economy?
The Cuban government's policies are criticized for hindering economic progress. Political restrictions limit citizens' ability to own property, start businesses, and generate income, exacerbating the island's economic situation.
What do Cubans who support criticism of government policy say?
Some Cubans support the criticism of government policy, stating that in Cuba, even breathing is political. Testimonies indicate that attempts at successful entrepreneurship can lead to reprisals, such as imprisonment, which reinforces the perception that politics is an obstacle to personal and economic development.
What is the perception of Cuban emigrants who criticize government policy?
The perception of Cuban emigrants is varied. Some acknowledge and support their criticisms of the government, while others question the truthfulness of their motives, suggesting that they have not significantly improved their economic situation outside of Cuba.
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