Does it happen to you? A Cuban woman shares what happens when she talks to people from Cuba, and everyone agrees

A Cuban woman in the U.S. goes viral by describing the frustration of sharing her problems with family in Cuba, who minimize the challenges she faces in exile, highlighting an increasing emotional gap.


A Cuban resident in the United States has gone viral on TikTok after sharing a reflection that has resonated and sparked debate among thousands of users: the difficulty of sharing her problems with family in Cuba without feeling invalidated or ignored.

"I feel like an alien when you talk to people in Cuba, whoever they may be, and you have the desire to vent; it's as if you don't exist," expressed the user @diabla1854 in her video, which has accumulated thousands of views on the platform.

She recounted that whenever she tries to talk about her own concerns or difficulties in the United States, her family members on the island interrupt her to share their own woes, as if the problems of exile are insignificant compared to those faced by Cubans in the country.

"They project their problems onto you. As if the only issues on this planet are those of the people in Cuba. Their problems are bigger than the problems of the whole world; I don’t understand," lamented the young woman, visibly frustrated.

The reaction was swift on social media, where dozens of Cuban émigrés shared similar experiences, acknowledging how challenging it can be to maintain an empathetic and balanced relationship with family members living in a context of constant crisis.

"One helps, listens, commands, but also needs to be heard. Over there, they think everything here is easy," wrote a user in the comments.

The publication highlights a common emotional phenomenon among many Cubans abroad: the emotional isolation they experience when they cannot share their own struggles without feeling guilty or diminished.

Amid the deep economic and social crisis faced by the island, the differing perceptions of what it means to "have problems" seem to widen the emotional gap between those who left and those who stayed.

Frequently Asked Questions about Communication and Relationships between Emigrated Cubans and Their Families in Cuba

Why do Cuban emigrants feel that their problems are ignored by their relatives in Cuba?

Emigrated Cubans often feel that their issues are overlooked because their relatives in Cuba tend to focus the conversation on the difficulties they face on the island. This perception arises from the profound economic and social crisis that Cuba is experiencing, which makes internal problems seem more urgent and serious, widening the emotional gap between those who have left and those who remain in the country.

How does the pressure to send aid to Cubans abroad affect them?

The pressure to send aid impacts Cubans abroad, creating emotional and economic tensions. Many émigrés feel that they are constantly expected to provide financial support, which can lead to significant emotional strain, especially when their own economic challenges abroad are not understood or appreciated by their relatives in Cuba.

What difficulties do Cubans face when communicating with their loved ones in Cuba?

The difficulties in communication include a lack of empathy and the feeling of being used solely for material gain. Many emigrants share that their relatives in Cuba seem more interested in receiving financial assistance than in understanding the emotional and economic struggles they face abroad.

Why do some Cubans abroad feel emotionally isolated from their families in Cuba?

Emotional isolation arises from the perception that one's problems are neither valued nor understood. This feeling is intensified because the experiences and challenges of living abroad are often not regarded as significant as those faced by family members in Cuba, creating an emotional disconnection between both parties.

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Yare Grau

Originally from Cuba, but living in Spain. I studied Social Communication at the University of Havana and later graduated in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Valencia. I am currently part of the CiberCuba team as an editor in the Entertainment section.