A Cuban living in Spain shared a testimony on TikTok about her grandmother's situation in Cuba and the sadness of being unable to support her. The video was posted by the user @legmy_ and has generated numerous reactions among Cubans who resonate with her experience.
"I don't know if this will be the hardest or the most emotional video I make, but I'm going to record it however my words come out. My grandmother, who is almost 90 years old and lives in Cuba, is ill; she has silent pneumonia, and today I received the news that she has broken her hip. Here I am, thousands of kilometers away, with my heart literally broken into a thousand pieces," he expressed.
The young woman shared a reflection on the causes of her pain: “if you ask me why I hate communism, it's because of this crap, it's not about poverty or need, although I can perfectly understand that many are affected by that, but it takes away the privilege of being with your family, with your loved ones.”
About her current situation, she said: “I cannot travel to Cuba, I have two young children that I cannot leave here, I am not going to take them with me because Cuba is not a safe country for my children.”
He also referred to the sanitary conditions on the island: “if my children get sick in Cuba, there is no public health system to support an illness, they don’t even have paracetamol or any kind of medicine to give to a sick child, they have nothing, I mean, a simple dehydration and the child doesn’t survive it.”
He criticized the costs of traveling to Cuba: "not to mention that the ticket prices are outrageous, as if to remind you that going to see your family is a pleasure or a luxury, or I don't know what happens to them—the price of a ticket is exorbitant."
He described the difficulties of life abroad: “Spain is not a country to make money; you literally spend years saving just to end up with 3 euros because your monthly expenses consume all your earnings month after month.”
“I feel in my soul what I am about to say, but being Cuban is a misfortune that follows you wherever you go,” he concluded.
The young woman has also addressed other aspects of her life as a migrant. In another video, she mentioned that after seven years in Spain, she has not managed to make new friends: “I have been in Spain for 7 years. In these 7 years, I haven’t made a single friend. Not one. All the friendships I have are from my past. I don’t know, socializing doesn’t come naturally to me, and with each passing day, I feel more embarrassed to approach people or start a conversation.”
Both testimonies have resonated with dozens of Cuban migrants, who see in their words a common reality: the forced separation from loved ones, the challenges of integration, and the emotional weight of living far from the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Difficult Situation of Cuban Migrants and Their Families in Cuba
Why can't the Cuban in Spain travel to Cuba to see her grandmother?
The Cuban woman in Spain cannot travel to Cuba because she has two young children and believes that the country is not safe for them. She also mentions that there is a lack of essential medications in Cuba, which poses a health risk to her children in case they get sick.
What are the main criticisms of the Cuban healthcare system according to the young Cuban in Spain?
According to the young Cuban in Spain, the Cuban healthcare system lacks basic medications such as paracetamol, and there is no public health system to support common illnesses, causing her to fear for the health of her children if she were to visit the island.
What challenges do Cubans abroad face according to the testimony of the young woman in Spain?
Cubans abroad face difficulties in integrating and saving, according to the testimony of a young woman in Spain. She mentions that Spain is not a country to "make money," as the monthly salary is spent on basic expenses, and she emphasizes the challenge of making new friends.
Why does the young Cuban woman in Spain criticize communism in Cuba?
The young woman criticizes communism in Cuba because, according to her story, it has taken away her privilege of being with her family. She expresses that her pain comes not only from misery or need but also from the separation from her loved ones.
How does the high cost of airfare affect Cubans who wish to visit the island?
The high cost of airfare makes it difficult for Cubans abroad to visit the island. The young Cuban mentions that tickets are extremely expensive, suggesting that visiting her family in Cuba has become an unattainable luxury for many.
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