The Cuban creator known as Sentelemald marked one year since his deportation to Cuba from Sweden, and has shared on TikTok how his adaptation process on the island has been, characterized by power outages, personal effort, and a return to his music career.
"I am in good health, which is the most important thing... I have always been fighting, working, without stealing from anyone, doing my things as they are," he said in a recent video that has already surpassed 90,000 views. In it, he thanks those who have supported him with messages of encouragement since he had to leave his life in Europe behind.
The young man reported that he had not published anything for a while due to personal complications, but that he has now recovered his account and plans to share more about his daily life in Cuba. "I'm going to be posting a lot of videos about how things are going for me in Cuba," he announced.
Among the most frequently asked questions from users are: "Why were you deported?", "Couldn't you go to another country?", "Do you have the possibility of returning?", and others that express both surprise and concern. There are also comments suggesting options such as going to Spain or “jumping to Mexico,” as well as supportive and admiring messages: “You are a fighter,” “Keep moving forward, it’s not the end of the world,” “I wish you the best from Italy.”
In a second video, posted days later, the creator appeared in the dark during the early morning. "It's 2:50 AM right now and they've just cut the power, but that's fine… adapting to the system, you know, always with a positive mindset so I don’t go crazy," he said calmly.
"Everything is fine here in Cuba, and we are staying active," he said, showing a positive attitude despite the material limitations of the environment.
According to Sentelemald himself in previous videos, he was deported in mid-May 2024 after living in Sweden for more than 13 years, the country where his two children were born. The deportation occurred, reportedly, for not having updated his identity document within the established timeframe, something he attributes to being focused on a legal process regarding shared custody of his eldest son, who was then eight years old. In a post from last July, he explained that he was working in a paint factory and resuming his music career.
At that same moment, he had mentioned that he was expecting a visit from his younger son and the child's mother in August. He also indicated that he had a legal process underway that could allow him to return to Sweden, where he had lived for over a decade.
In June, upon learning of his case, a debate arose on social media: while some accused him of hiding details about his legal situation, others defended him, pointing out that immigration laws in Sweden have become stricter even for those who have been residing there for years.
"No matter what I'm going through, I will always rise up from wherever I am and go out to fight for what is mine," he asserted in one of his messages from last year.
Frequently asked questions about deportation and life in Cuba after returning
Why was Sentelemald deported from Sweden?
Sentelemald was deported from Sweden for failing to update his identity document within the designated timeframe, which he attributes to being focused on a legal process regarding shared custody of his eldest son.
How has Sentelemald adapted to life in Cuba?
Sentelemald has described his adaptation to life in Cuba as a process full of challenges, especially due to the frequent blackouts. However, he maintains a positive attitude and has decided to resume his musical career and share his experiences on social media.
Can Sentelemald return to Sweden?
Sentelemald stated that it has a legal process underway that could allow it to return to Sweden. The outcome of this process will determine if it can return to reside in the country.
What challenges do Cuban migrants face when being deported?
Deported Cuban migrants face several challenges upon returning to the island, such as adapting to difficult living conditions, including blackouts and material limitations. They often have to rebuild their lives from scratch, which involves finding work and readjusting to the local culture and conditions.
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