A Cuban woman living in the United States, identified on TikTok as @mily_pastel, has sparked comments on social media after posting a video in which she criticizes some Cuban migrants who, according to her, reject communism in Cuba but then rely on government assistance abroad.
In the video, the content creator argues that many Cubans leaving the island do so with a strong rejection of communism and socialism, but once they are in other countries, they end up relying on assistance programs.
"It's not bad to receive help when you need it, but living without working, relying on government assistance that ultimately comes from the taxes paid by those who do work, seems very socialist to me," he asserts.
It is mentioned that these same migrants often criticize the Cuban model because the state controls everything, yet upon arriving in the U.S., they apply for subsidies such as Section 8, Medicaid, and food stamps for years without joining the labor market.
The tiktoker also questions the political decisions of some Cubans who, despite declaring themselves anti-communist, support politicians who advocate for more subsidies. "They come saying they hate socialism, but then, when it comes time to vote, they vote for politicians who promise more aid and more subsidies," she points out.
Finally, he reflects on personal responsibility: "If I am a young, strong, and healthy person who can work, why should I receive all these benefits when there are many people who truly need them?" and poses a direct question to those who fit this profile: "Did you really hate communism, or did you just want a communism that worked better?"
The video has generated various responses on TikTok. Some users have supported its stance, pointing out that many people take advantage of the benefits without a real need. Others have questioned the generalization of the argument, asserting that not all Cuban migrants act this way. There are also those who believe that government aid is part of democratic systems and not necessarily a reflection of communism.
The access of migrants to social assistance programs in the U.S. has sparked debates within the Cuban community and American politics. The video by mily_pastel has brought this topic back to the forefront within the Cuban exile community, generating divided opinions on the relationship between migration and dependence on government aid.
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