A video posted by the Cuban @yaisi..alvarez on TikTok has sparked a widespread debate on social media, showing how she took her mother to a Farmacia Guadalajara in Mexico. What started as a simple visit to buy medication turned into a viral scene, with over 1.6 million views, highlighting the contrast between the reality of Mexican shelves and the chronic scarcity experienced in Cuba.
“I am a Cuban living in Mexico, and I brought my mom to the pharmacy because she had acidity,” says the TikToker at the beginning of the video, where she shows shelves filled with products. The mother, excited, observes the place and says, “There’s everything. Someday my country will have the same. We have faith.”
The post generated thousands of reactions. Dozens of users celebrated the scene with messages of support and empathy: "Welcome to Mexico, there is enough for everyone," "Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have," "What a beautiful reaction; it made me cry."
But there were no shortage of hostile comments: "When are you going back?", "We are already many", "Pay taxes." In response, Yaisi calmly replied: "I have been in Mexico since the Peña Nieto administration, I am a Mexican citizen and of course I pay taxes. God bless your heart."
"You are enjoying yourself here."
A few days later, the creator shared another video in which she takes her mother to a Modatelas store. The woman, upon seeing sewing items like knitting needles, reacts with enthusiasm: “When was the last time my eyes saw this... oh how delightful, my mother.” The TikToker jokes: “You're really enjoying yourself here.”
Both scenes are part of a growing wave of testimonies from Cubans documenting on social media the emotional impact of accessing everyday goods outside the island. On TikTok, these videos have found a massive audience willing to both applaud and question.
Other similar experiences
The phenomenon is not new. The TikToker Michel Crónicas has also shared his experience from Mexico, noting that only after emigrating could he sleep in a hotel or buy a bus ticket without complications. “A luxury in Cuba that is normal in Mexico”, he recounted in a viral video.
In another case, the Cuban Lietty Piña visited a Miniso store and couldn't contain her excitement at the variety of beauty and home products. “If my niece sees this, she'll fall in love,” she said wistfully as she walked through the aisles.
The creator Michel Crónicas also documented how his mother and stepfather were shocked when they entered a Mexican pharmacy, surprised to find everything from medications to yogurts and rice. “This is a whole market, not a pharmacy,” his mother remarked.
Between rejection and reflection
The videos elicit mixed reactions. While some view them as a reminder of the fortune they possess, others use them as a platform to reject migration. “Your videos make us appreciate what we have,” wrote a Mexican. “Here we complain, but this opens our eyes,” commented another. In contrast, there were those who responded with phrases like: “When are you leaving?”, “We don’t want more foreigners”, or “Don’t deplete our products”.
At the same time, hundreds of users asked not to generalize: “Not all Mexicans are like this, welcome”, “It's sad that they react this way, when our compatriots in the U.S. suffer the same”, “There is room for everyone who respects and works with dignity”.
Testimonies like Yaisi's highlight the stark contrast in access to basic goods between Cuba and countries like Mexico, but they also create space for a broader conversation about migration, rights, and empathy in times of polarization.
Frequently asked questions about the emotional impact of emigration and the experiences of Cubans abroad
What does the viral video of the Cuban woman in a pharmacy in Mexico reflect?
The video reflects the stark contrast between scarcity in Cuba and abundance in Mexico. The TikTok post by @yaisi..alvarez shows her mother's surprise and excitement upon seeing the wide availability of products in a Mexican pharmacy, highlighting the shortages experienced on the island and sparking a debate about the situation in Cuba.
How have users reacted on social media to these videos?
The reactions have been mixed, swinging between support and criticism. Many users express empathy and understanding towards the situation of Cubans, while others take the opportunity to criticize migration. However, these videos also invite reflection on the fortune of having access to basic goods in countries like Mexico or the United States.
Why does this type of content go viral on TikTok?
The content goes viral because it documents emotional experiences that resonate with a wide audience. Videos of Cubans experiencing abundance outside the island for the first time capture attention due to their authenticity and highlight the economic and social differences between Cuba and other countries.
What does the phenomenon of Cubans documenting their experiences abroad symbolize?
This phenomenon symbolizes the pursuit of a better quality of life and the hope for a more prosperous future. Testimonials from Cubans on social media reveal the emotional impact of gaining access to everyday goods and highlight the desire of many to see positive changes in their country of origin.
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