A content creator on social media has sparked intense controversy after claiming that Cubans who emigrate and accept another nationality automatically renounce their roots and cease to be Cuban.
The Cuban YouTuber Deni, known for his personal blog Reflections of Deni, shared in a video what he believes are the conditions that lead a Cuban to want to no longer be one.
From the moment you decide to leave and build a life in another country, you have already renounced your roots. From the moment you accept another nationality, another passport, and feel good traveling with it, with your children being called Americans, Norwegians, or Swiss, you are no longer Cuban, stated the content creator in his message.
Deni also stated that for most Cubans in exile, one of the most important days of their lives is when they obtain the citizenship of their country of residence, especially those living in Miami.
According to him, many prefer to travel with their new passport and keep the Cuban one stored away, using it only when it is required to enter the island.
99% of Cubans living abroad wish to travel to Cuba with their foreign passport because they feel more protected, he stated in his declaration.
His words have divided opinions. While some support his stance and argue that nationality is not just a document but a sense of belonging that diminishes with emigration, others believe that Cuban identity goes beyond a passport and is not lost by gaining another citizenship.
Among the most notable comments on the post, some users shared their experiences and opinions.
One of them expressed his determination not to return to the island until it is free: "I was forced to resign when I left. I won't return until Cuba is free. And I thank this country for opening its doors to me. God bless America."
There were also those who emphasized their pride in their origin, regardless of the distance: "Cuba is not the government, Cuba belongs to the Cubans, not to a dictatorship. They will never take away my pride in being Cuban."
Some pointed out that emigration is not a choice but a necessity: "You never gave up; you were forced to leave due to the situation in Cuba. Oh, and I tell you, 100% of those Cubans, if they could return to a free Cuba, would do so."
Meanwhile, others emphasized the harshness of the Cuban reality: "Anyone who experiences what Cubans go through would be happy in another country."
Even people from other nationalities defended the idea that Cuban identity goes beyond the government or the political situation: "You will be the only Cuban who does not love your culture and your roots. It is true that you do not love the dictatorship, but that is your country, the one you were given."
This debate adds to a broader conversation about the Cuban diaspora and the relationship of emigrants with their country of origin. Meanwhile, the video continues to generate interactions and solidify positions among those who resonate with its words and those who criticize it harshly.
Cuban legislation
In June 2024, the Cuban government presented a Citizenship Bill that outlines the procedures for renouncing and losing Cuban citizenship.
According to this law, approved in July, resignation is only accepted if it is made from abroad and the applicant holds another nationality, in order to prevent cases of statelessness. Additionally, conditions such as being over 18 years old, not having debts with the Cuban state, and not serving a criminal sentence or being pursued for a crime are required.
La ley también introduce the concept of "Effective Citizenship", que forces Cuban citizens to use their Cuban citizenship to enter, remain, transit, and exit the national territory, así como para identificarse en todos los actos jurídicos y políticos realizados en Cuba. Esto significa que, Even if another nationality is acquired, Cuban nationality is not lost automatically and must prevail within the country.
It is important to highlight that, although the 2019 Constitution recognizes the possibility of renouncing Cuban citizenship, the lack of a specific Citizenship Law has prevented the immediate exercise of this right. The Migration Law project mentions this possibility, but detailed legislation is required to clearly establish the procedures and competent authorities for renouncing Cuban citizenship.
These regulations have sparked debates about the identity and rights of Cubans living abroad who acquire another nationality. While some believe that accepting another citizenship implies a renunciation of Cuban roots, others argue that national identity goes beyond legal documentation and that it is possible to maintain a cultural and emotional connection to Cuba regardless of legal status.
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