A young Cuban woman living in Mexico has gone viral on TikTok by sharing a testimony that touches and resonates with thousands of compatriots both on the island and abroad: her body, her health, and her spirit have flourished since she left Cuba.
The user @liettypi, identified as Lietty Piña, posted a video in which she expresses her gratitude for the positive change she has experienced since moving away from her home country. With a mix of relief, gratitude, and regret, the young woman explains that her diet, routine, skin, and even her mood have improved since she settled in Mexican territory.
“Mexico has changed me for the better in every way. I am having better nutrition, a better life, a better routine. I can even notice it in my glow, in my essence, in my hair, in my skin tone… in everything”, Lietty expresses with emotion.
The narrative gains strength when contrasting what is ordinary for many in other countries with what is considered a privilege in Cuba. The young woman talks about eating meat, using creams, bathing with hot water, or having access to fruits and vegetables as part of her daily routine in Mexico—something that, she claims, was unattainable on the island.
“Here in Mexico, I have a normal life, but in Cuba, this would be like a life of luxury”, he reflects.
Lietty reports that, despite her efforts to eat well and exercise in Cuba, it was impossible for her to gain weight or take care of her skin as she does now. The lack of basic products and the high cost of personal care items prevented her from having a dignified life. “Everything in Cuba is practically a luxury,” she states, alluding to the precarious situation faced by millions on the island.
The testimony has sparked hundreds of comments from other Cuban migrants who see themselves reflected in his words. For many, the experience of leaving Cuba not only represents a geographical change but also a profound transformation of their physical and emotional well-being.
In the midst of the economic and social crisis that Cuba is experiencing, stories like Lietty's highlight the cracks in the system and reinforce a truth that many are well aware of: living with dignity on the island remains a privilege for a select few, while what is considered basic in other parts of the world feels like an unattainable dream for those born there.
Frequently asked questions about migration and the contrast of life between Cuba and Mexico
Why has life in Mexico improved so much for Cuban migrants?
Life in Mexico has improved for many Cuban migrants because they have access to basic products that are considered luxuries in Cuba. Food, the use of creams, hot water, and the availability of fruits and vegetables are aspects that have transformed their physical and emotional well-being, according to the testimony of Lietty Piña.
What basic products are considered luxuries in Cuba but are everyday items in Mexico?
In Cuba, basic products such as toilet paper, meat, Coca-Cola, and clothing are considered luxuries due to their limited availability or high cost. In Mexico, these products are part of people's everyday lives, allowing migrants like Lietty Piña to lead a normal life that would be regarded as a luxury in Cuba.
What is the journey like for Cubans to reach Mexico?
The journey to Mexico is dangerous and filled with challenges. For example, Lietty Piña left Cuba for Nicaragua, where a visa is not required for Cubans, and then continued overland through Honduras and Guatemala, facing risks such as temporary abduction by human traffickers. Despite these difficulties, many Cubans choose this route in search of a better quality of life.
What impact does the crisis in Cuba have on emigration to Mexico?
The economic and social crisis in Cuba has driven many Cubans to emigrate to Mexico. The lack of basic goods, the precarious access to essential services, and the low average salary are factors that motivate Cubans to seek a better life in other countries, where the everyday is not seen as an unattainable luxury.
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