Cuban Luis Sánchez, known on TikTok as @bethechange80, has sparked a heated debate on social media after posting a nearly ten-minute video in which he reflects on his life on the island and delivers a direct message to the emigrant community: "People came here to work, not to party or have fun."
Sánchez claims that his story begins “like a disaster,” a boy who “never had a toy” and who “most nights went to bed hungry,” unable to sleep “due to the heat and mosquitoes.” He recalls that at the age of 11, he was sent to the so-called field schools, where—he says—“they ripped you from your mother’s and father’s arms” to send you to “terrifying places” where “you could either encounter a horseman threatening to do terrible things or find 20 worms in your plate of rice.”
By the age of 12 or 13, I was already cutting wood, making charcoal, and looking for any job to earn “my little money.” Over time, I worked multiple jobs simultaneously—ranging from repairing umbrellas and shoes to helping in the fields and working as an economist—yet it was never enough to make a living. “There was always a minister whom you had to ask for permission to leave there, and if they granted it, it was on the condition that you had to pay them five years of your life,” he reported.
He also recalls the two years of mandatory military service: “Do you think anyone asked me if I wanted to do it? If I loved my homeland enough to voluntarily go to that place, to expose my life, to sacrifice it for whom?”
He claims he decided to emigrate because “nothing and no one was holding me back; I’ve never liked being controlled by anyone.” He arrived in the United States at the age of 28, “with neither mom nor dad here waiting for me with everything, a car, a job.” He started working in hotels and CVS pharmacies while studying English full-time. Today, he says he is a U.S. citizen, owns two businesses, two properties, and has brought his entire family over.
The central message of his video leaves no room for doubt: "Until you stop the drooling you have over Cuba, you will be nobody, not here, nowhere... I respect you wholeheartedly for loving Cuba, but you left Cuba because it wasn't what you wanted."
In the video description, Sánchez wrote: "Cubans need to learn to appreciate what they have and what they have achieved, and most importantly, their freedom. Less complaining, clubbing, stealing, committing crimes, manipulating, and more self-improvement. You come here to fight, and don't expect to achieve here what you couldn't in a whole lifetime in Cuba."
Her post, which has garnered thousands of views, has polarized users. Among the supportive messages stand out: "You are absolutely right, we need to come here to move forward, not to complain"; "Bravo for saying it fearlessly, enough with the victimization"; or "Excellent reflection, this is what many don’t want to hear."
Others reacted with criticism: “Brother, everyone experiences their grief in their own way; not all of us have your strength”; “Life in Cuba is tough, but so is emigration; it’s not black and white”; “It sounds like you disdain those who still want to return”; or “Not all of us have the same luck as you; don’t compare.”
There were also those who sought a middle ground: “I understand your point, but not all Cubans abroad come under the same conditions”; “That pride in having achieved this is valid, but remember that not everyone has the same opportunities”; “I wish more people would think this way and focus on improving themselves.”
Sánchez's speech takes place in a context where other figures from the exile have sent similar messages. Just a few days ago, the Cuban-American musician Willy Chirino stated in an interview that “you don’t come here to be lazy and hang out on the corner drinking beer; you come here to work,” comments that sparked controversy and public defense from the broadcaster Enrique Santos and the presenter Alexander Otaola.
However, this type of warning to newcomers is not new. In May 2024, Arguelles Positivo published a video in which, after welcoming new migrants, he told them that “you don't come here to invent” and warned them about the need for independence and gratitude. In February 2025, the user @soy_edgy insisted that “you come here to work, not to cry” and recommended learning English and avoiding gossip. And in June 2024, Dayanis, from Miami, reminded that “living at the mercy of others, all of that you leave in Cuba.”
In August 2023, another Cuban, Rosa Sánchez, was blunt: "Here, you come to work, to suffer, to cry," recalling that life in the United States requires constant effort and that appearances on social media do not reflect the real sacrifice.
The intensity of the current debate, with Luis Sánchez as the new focal point, confirms that reflections on work, discipline, and adaptation in the Cuban exile continue to generate as much support as rejection.
Frequently asked questions about the viral message from Cuban Luis Sánchez in the U.S.
What is the main message of the Cuban Luis Sánchez in his viral video?
The central message from Luis Sánchez is that in the United States, one must work hard and let go of complaints and nostalgia for Cuba. Sánchez criticizes those who emigrate but do not appreciate the opportunities for freedom and advancement that the country offers, emphasizing the need for effort to achieve success.
Why has Luis Sánchez's video generated so much debate on social media?
The video has polarized opinions because Sánchez delivers a direct and critical message to the emigrant community, urging them to work hard and move past the victimization due to the situation in Cuba. While some support his stance, others believe that his message overlooks the emotional challenges and varying experiences of emigrants.
What has life been like for Luis Sánchez since he emigrated to the United States?
Luis Sánchez emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 28 and began working in hotels and pharmacies while studying English. Over time, he became a U.S. citizen, managed to establish two businesses of his own, and brought his family to the U.S., demonstrating his vision of success through continuous effort.
What experiences from his life in Cuba does Luis Sánchez share in his video?
Sánchez recalls his childhood in Cuba as a difficult period, where he experienced hunger, poverty, and a repressive educational system in the rural schools. He also speaks of the mandatory military service and the lack of personal freedom, all of which influenced his decision to emigrate.
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