"How do you manage life here, and on top of that, travel to Cuba, send packages to Cuba, send remittances, recharge your phone every month, and buy food combos every month?" asked the Cuban @yarecapey in a video that has garnered over 40,000 views on TikTok.
The Cuban woman offered an open reflection on the challenges many emigrants face in maintaining a life abroad while simultaneously providing constant support to their family members in Cuba.
"This is for all Cubans living abroad. Tell me how you manage to live outside, to pay for housing, utilities, or bills, as we say in the United States," he stated. He also questioned whether it is sustainable to bear the emotional and financial cost of providing help every month: "One thing is to help, another is to support people in Cuba."
In his account, he mentioned specific cases: “I know of someone, for example, who rents a room in a house, pays about 500 dollars, and spends the entire year working to buy clothes, shoes, everything... and at the end of the year, he goes to Cuba loaded with suitcases.”
According to what he said, that person confessed to having paid "700 dollars at the Miami airport" for excess baggage and even more upon arriving in Cuba. "And then he tells me, 'I have to keep living in a small room in a house to pay less, because otherwise, how can I help my family in Cuba?'"
Yarecapey also recalled that, during her childhood on the island, she never received help from the outside: “I walked barefoot when I had to walk barefoot, with sandals that the shoemaker around the corner of my house repaired over and over again.”
Heated debate on TikTok
The video sparked hundreds of comments reflecting both support and rejection of its message. One of the most repeated responses was, "Working, working, and working." Others stated that the life of an emigrant is filled with sacrifices: long hours of work, going into debt, or living in minimal conditions just to send money, packages, or medications to Cuba.
Criticism also arose regarding the creator's approach. Several comments agreed that no one should judge how other emigrants choose to help their families: "That's none of your business"; "Everyone does what they can and what they want."
Among the testimonies, some shared that they send large amounts of food and money each month. Others said they have been forced to limit their spending, deprive themselves of comforts, or even avoid traveling to Cuba in order to support their families.
Other recent testimonies
This debate is not new. Last December, user @cindyforte shared on TikTok how she organizes food deliveries to her family: “How could I not do it, when over there are the most important people in my life?”
In Spain, another tiktoker criticized those who ask without knowing the effort involved: “Do they think that money falls from the sky? I believe they do”. She added that many family members do not understand the sacrifice of working in cleaning, caring for people, or enduring poor working conditions.
On her part, a creator based in the U.S. was blunt: “What’s the point of leaving Cuba? To come here to support others? I came for myself.”
Help or dependence?
The positions reflect a common dilemma in Cuban migration: the balance between love for family and the need to survive in contexts of high economic pressure. While some advocate for unconditional support, others believe it is necessary to set limits to avoid self-exploitation or permanent indebtedness.
Yarecapey closed his video with an invitation: "Tell me how you do it. Whether you have private businesses or whatever. How you own a home, how you have properties, how you get ahead while supporting everyone in Cuba. Because I would really love to know."
Frequently asked questions about sending aid and the lives of Cubans abroad
How do Cubans living abroad manage to send help to their families in Cuba?
Cubans abroad face great sacrifices to send assistance to their relatives in Cuba. They work long hours, forgo comforts, and meticulously plan their expenses in order to send remittances and packages that are essential for the sustenance of their loved ones on the island.
What criticisms do Cubans face when sending aid to Cuba?
These Cubans often receive criticism from both other emigrants and people in Cuba. Some argue that the aid supports the Cuban regime, while others criticize the dependency created by these remittances. However, many defend their decision to prioritize the well-being of their families over political discussions.
What challenges do Cubans face when sending packages to Cuba?
Sending packages to Cuba involves a number of logistical and emotional challenges. Cubans must contend with weight and cost restrictions, which requires careful planning. Additionally, they face the emotional pressure of wanting to send more than is possible, which can be frustrating and exhausting.
Why do some Cubans abroad feel pressure from the expectations of their families in Cuba?
Many Cubans abroad feel pressure because their families in Cuba often have unrealistic expectations about life overseas. Emigrants are expected to send constant assistance, which can be emotionally draining and create tensions if they are unable to meet those expectations due to their own financial difficulties.
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