A Cuban worker in Miami has gone viral on social media after responding emphatically when asked why he is not a communist.
In a video posted on TikTok by the user @lariquisima7, a man identified as Carlitos, a maintenance worker at a U.S. airport, claims to have personally experienced the repression of the Cuban regime before emigrating during the Mariel boatlift in 1980.
"No, I am a communist; I experienced communism and had a bitter experience with it, I've been away for 45 years," he said, adding that he has never returned to the island. "What would I go back for? I have my family and my nephews here. I am without a homeland, but without a master. Homeland and life," he added firmly.
The woman who shared the video, his coworker, recounted that Carlitos was expelled from schools and workplaces in Cuba due to his political stance, until he decided to escape via Mariel. Since then, he has built his life in the United States, where he has remained without returning to his home country.
“Carlitos is a coworker who suffered greatly because of communism. He was expelled from school and from jobs until he decided to come via Mariel. He has been here for 45 years without returning and explains that he is without a homeland but without a master. Down with communism! Homeland and life!” the user wrote in the video description.
Carlitos' testimony has sparked multiple supportive reactions on TikTok, where many users recognize him as an example of the generation of Cubans who left the island in search of freedom during the mass exodus of 1980.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Experience of Emigrated Cubans and Communism in Cuba
Why hasn't Carlitos returned to Cuba in 45 years?
Carlitos has not returned to Cuba in 45 years due to his bitter experience with communism, which led him to escape the country during the Mariel exodus in 1980. Since then, he has built his life in the United States and does not feel the need to return to the island, as he believes he has nothing to look for there and his family is now in the United States.
What is the Mariel Exodus and why was it significant?
The Mariel boatlift was a massive migration event that took place in 1980, when more than 125,000 Cubans left the island from the port of Mariel to the United States. This exodus was significant because it reflected the widespread discontent with the communist regime in Cuba and marked an important shift in the Cuban community in the United States, integrating thousands of new emigrants seeking freedom and better opportunities.
What is Carlitos's stance on the current Cuban regime?
Carlitos holds a critical stance against the Cuban regime, which he considers repressive and responsible for his bitter personal experience. Through his testimony, he expresses his rejection of communism and supports slogans like "Patria y vida," which symbolize the desire for freedom and the end of the dictatorship in Cuba.
How has the TikTok community reacted to Carlitos' testimony?
The TikTok community has shown great support for Carlitos' testimony, recognizing him as an example of the generation of Cubans who emigrated in search of freedom during the Mariel exodus. Many users have expressed sympathy and support for his decision not to return to Cuba and his rejection of communism.
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