A Cuban in the United States has touched TikTok users by sharing her heartbreaking testimony about the migratory journey that took her through Brazil with barely any resources, singing on buses to survive and facing uncertainty alongside her young daughter.
In a video lasting over five minutes, posted on her account @la_narraa, the woman responded to a follower's comment wishing her blessings and asking if she would ever go to Brazil. Her response was not only affirming but also included a raw and deeply emotional account of her journey through South America.
"I left Cuba and went to Guyana, from there I crossed to Brazil. I was in Boa Vista, Manaus, Curitiba, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and I lived for 28 days in Florianópolis before heading to Uruguay," he recounted. In total, he said he traveled through 28 towns and cities in Brazil, on a journey that lasted 65 days and that he described as one of the toughest experiences of his life.
During the story, she recalled that after leaving Uruguay with just 100 dollars, she began a journey on foot and by bus to Ecuador, singing on the buses to make a living. "I found myself between life and death many times," she confessed. She told how she slept on the street, suffered from hunger, and was even expelled from a terminal by another Cuban when she tried to get food for her daughter. However, she also remembered acts of solidarity and how she learned Portuguese to be able to communicate.
"Brazil is a beautiful country," he assured. Despite the difficulties, he expressed his desire to return one day with his mother and his children, especially with his mother, "because she is getting older and deserves it."
Reactions: a wave of empathy among migrants
The testimony generated an avalanche of supportive and emotional reactions. Comments such as “you have more guts than Mariana Grajales,” “you’re a warrior,” “you made me cry,” or “I experienced the same thing and no one believes me when I tell it,” were echoed time and again.
Many Cuban migrants and individuals from other nationalities shared their own experiences, recounting their journeys from the Darién jungle to routes through Suriname, Peru, Venezuela, or Mexico. Some recalled having seen her in Uruguay or meeting in cities like Curitiba and Florianópolis. Others, from Brazil, Russia, or the United States, agreed that "no one knows what we migrants go through" and the emotional weight of reliving those memories.
"What you shared touched all my sensitive strings," commented one user. "I also made that journey alone with my daughters, and it was terrible," wrote another.
Stories that Repeat: A Generation on the Move
The testimony of @la_narraa is not an isolated case. More and more Cubans are sharing their journeys on social media, in a form of collective catharsis marked by suffering, violence, extreme poverty, and, at the same time, an immense capacity for resilience.
One of them is Yaima Alemán, identified as @lamuneka_97yai on TikTok, who shared her journey from Cuba to Mexico, crossing several countries such as Colombia, Peru, and El Salvador. After arriving in Nicaragua, she continued through Honduras and Guatemala until she entered Mexican territory, where she experienced one of the most challenging moments: she was detained by the police and transported in a closed truck along with more than 100 people. "You couldn't feel your feet, many were crying," she recounted. Her story also generated both empathy and criticism, a common duality on social media.
Another case is that of Lietty Piña, who from her account @liettypi shared her journey through Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala, where she was held by traffickers after being scammed, as she reported. "We were held captive there... this part is tough," she confessed in whispers, fearful that the video would be censored. The young woman currently lives in Mexico and is continuing her legal immigration processes.
"It's not the same to tell it as it is to live it."
“No es lo mismo contarlo que vivirlo,” says the protagonist of this new account of a migratory journey, which encapsulates the struggle of a generation of Cubans who have crossed borders in search of a better life, often risking everything without knowing if they will arrive.
The suffering expressed is not just individual, but representative of a diaspora driven by necessity, which today finds in social media a way to break the silence, seek support, and perhaps begin to heal.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Migration Journey of Cubans in South America
What was the Cuban's journey in Brazil like according to her testimony?
The Cuban described her journey through Brazil as one of the toughest experiences of her life, traveling through 28 towns and cities in 65 days, sleeping on the street, facing hunger, and learning Portuguese to survive. Despite the hardships, she expressed her desire to return someday with her mother.
What motivates Cubans to share their migration stories on social media?
Many Cubans share their migration stories on social media as a form of catharsis, to highlight the difficulties they face in search of a better life and to find support among those who have gone through similar experiences. This also allows them to break the silence and begin to heal.
What is the emotional impact of migration journeys on Cubans?
Migratory journeys have a profound emotional impact on Cubans, generating feelings of uncertainty, fear, and loneliness. However, they also highlight the solidarity and resilience that they find along the way, which gives them the strength to continue their journey.
What challenges do Cubans face on their way to the United States?
Cubans face numerous challenges on their journey to the United States, including the need to traverse several countries with limited resources, learn new languages, and overcome legal and personal obstacles in their pursuit of a better life. The journey may involve significant physical and emotional dangers.
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