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The Cuban activist Yamilka Lafita, known on social media as Lara Crofs, shared in an emotional post on the reasons that led her to return to Cuba after more than eleven years abroad, despite having visas and job opportunities in other countries.
“The desire to return always gnawed at me”, confessed the art historian and human rights advocate, who claims that nostalgia and attachment to her homeland were stronger than the prospect of rebuilding her life far from repression and scarcity.
"Having been outside of Cuba for several years, I got to know 14 countries, their cultures, and their people. But the desire to return always gnawed at me," he expressed.
Lafita admitted that the return has not been without pain, as friends and family have left for exile, and many of the places she used to share no longer exist. “Today I barely have friends, I have tragically lost family and friends, and the group with which I enjoyed spending time has all been exiled,” she lamented.
However, her return is driven by a deep commitment to memory, resistance, and hope. “This is not a superficial decision, nor a fight for the past, but rather for the Cuba that still lives within me and in those who remain on this island, facing the same difficulties and oppressions that I myself endure.”
A path marked by solidarity
The name of Lara Crofs is inseparable from civic solidarity in Cuba. She played a key role in the campaign that successfully brought little Amanda Lemus to Spain for a life-saving liver transplant. She has also led the delivery of supplies and medications in various provinces, and initiated campaigns for those affected by Hurricane Ian in Pinar del Río.
Her activism has put her in the crosshairs of State Security, who have detained her multiple times, threatened and even harassed with acts of vandalism at her home. Despite this, she always repeats: “I am not leaving Cuba, those who need to leave are you.”
Between vulnerability and resilience
In recent months, Lafita has also experienced firsthand the precariousness of the Cuban healthcare system. Complications arising from diabetes and epilepsy left her bedridden, without access to the appropriate medication, which sparked a wave of solidarity from the very community she has defended for years.
Far from giving up, her current message reflects the conviction to continue being a witness and a voice for what is happening on the island. “Cuba for me is not just a geographical location, but a homeland of resistance, a land marked by suffering but also by hope”, she wrote in her post.
Lafita asserts that she is not prepared to give up Cuba or its people, even if that means living under harassment. "Talking about Cuba, writing about Cuba, denouncing what is happening here, doing everything I can for its freedom, is not an option but a duty while I am on this land," she wrote.
Her return is not merely personal; it seems more like a gesture laden with symbolism in a country where millions have left in search of a better future. For her, staying is a form of resistance and a commitment to the collective memory of Cubans who cannot or do not want to leave the island.
Frequently asked questions about Yamilka Lafita's return to Cuba and her activism
Why did Yamilka Lafita decide to return to Cuba after more than a decade?
Yamilka Lafita, known as Lara Crofs, decided to return to Cuba driven by nostalgia and a deep connection to her homeland. Despite the opportunities in other countries, her commitment to memory, resilience, and hope in Cuba was stronger than the possibilities of rebuilding her life abroad.
What has Yamilka Lafita's experience been like since her return to Cuba?
Since her return, Yamilka Lafita has faced pain due to the exile of friends and family, as well as the deterioration of the places she used to frequent. However, her return is driven by a strong commitment to resistance and hope for a better future for Cuba.
What kind of activism does Yamilka Lafita engage in in Cuba?
Yamilka Lafita is known for her activism in defense of human rights and citizen solidarity. She has been instrumental in campaigns to support those in need, such as the case of Amanda Lemus, and has organized the distribution of supplies and medications in various provinces of Cuba.
What difficulties has Yamilka Lafita faced due to her activism in Cuba?
Lafita has faced arrests, threats, and harassment from Cuban authorities due to her activism. Despite these challenges, she has remained committed to speaking and writing about the reality in Cuba, asserting that staying on the island is a form of resistance.
How has Yamilka Lafita contributed to the campaign for Amanda Lemus's transplant?
Yamilka Lafita was instrumental in the campaign that enabled Amanda Lemus to travel to Spain for a life-saving liver transplant. Thanks to her efforts and those of other activists, a humanitarian visa was obtained along with the necessary medical treatment for the girl in Madrid.
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