Lázaro Ramos González, a 69-year-old Cuban living on the streets of Miami, has reestablished contact with his family in Cuba after more than four decades without communication. For years, his loved ones in Havana believed he was dead.
The story of this Cuban came to light thanks to a video posted by the TikTok profile Conducta en Dade, a project that gives a voice to homeless individuals in South Florida.
Ramos González arrived in the United States in 1980, during the Mariel boatlift. Although he claims to have lived for some time in California, for years now he has been surviving on the streets of Hialeah.
His situation caught attention when he was interviewed by members of Conducta in Dade, who shared his testimony on social media. The video was viewed by residents of the Havana municipality of Regla, where he lived before emigrating, and that’s how they identified him.
Thanks to this chain of coincidences, the project was able to put him in contact with his ex-partner, Gladys Lavarieta, mother of his son Lázaro —known as Lachi— who resides in the United States, although he has never had a relationship with his father.
"It's incredible after so many years to see him and know that he is alive," said Lavarieta, visibly emotional during the call, according to the team from Conducta en Dade, which facilitated the phone reunion after 45 years of silence.
Although it has not been confirmed whether he has other relatives in the United States, the Conduct team in Dade continues to seek support to improve the situation of this elderly Cuban man. His case reflects the silent struggle of many migrants who, after decades abroad, find themselves isolated and disconnected from their roots.
This reunion has touched the hearts of thousands of users on social media and has rekindled the hope that stories like Lázaro's can find a new path through solidarity and the power of human connection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cubans Living on the Streets in Miami
Who is Lázaro Ramos González and how did he manage to reconnect with his family?
Lázaro Ramos González is a 69-year-old Cuban who is homeless in Miami and who recently managed to reconnect with his family in Cuba after more than forty years without communication. The reunion was made possible thanks to a video posted by the TikTok profile Conducta en Dade, which documents stories of homeless individuals. His former neighbors in Havana recognized him and helped establish contact with his ex-partner and his son.
What role does the Conducta project play in helping homeless Cubans in Miami?
The Conducta project documents and disseminates cases of homeless individuals in Miami, especially those of Cuban descent, to raise awareness and mobilize the community to assist them. Through videos shared on social media, the project aims to connect these individuals with family and friends, and to receive support to improve their living conditions. Conducta has been instrumental in several family reunifications and in providing assistance to individuals in vulnerable situations.
How has the Mariel exodus impacted the life of Lázaro Ramos González?
Lázaro Ramos González arrived in the United States in 1980 during the Mariel exodus. This massive migration event brought thousands of Cubans to the United States, many of whom faced challenges in integrating and thriving. In Lázaro's case, after spending some time in California, he ended up on the streets of Hialeah, Miami, homeless and disconnected from his family for decades.
What does the story of Lázaro reflect about the situation of Cuban migrants in the United States?
The story of Lázaro Ramos González is a reflection of the silent drama experienced by many Cuban migrants in the United States. After decades abroad, some end up isolated and disconnected from their roots, facing situations of extreme vulnerability without effective support networks. These experiences underscore the importance of solidarity and human connection to change lives.
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