From Mexico, a young Cuban posted a video in which she expresses her dissatisfaction with the participation of Cuban citizens in migrant caravans that demand documents from local authorities.
Identified on TikTok as @laura__melisa, the young woman shared a video in which she criticizes the participation of her fellow countrymen in migrant caravans that have requested the Mexican government for their migration regularization.
"I don't know if I'm the only Cuban who feels incredibly outraged by everything that's happening here in Mexico. Hundreds of Cubans staging protests, caravans, and demanding that the Mexican government provide them with documents. It's a disgrace," she stated.
"How are you going to come to a country that isn't yours to acquire rights when you never did so in your own?" he questioned.
She also said that she rejects the generalization of all Cubans based on this type of action: “The worst part of all this is that because of those four data points, they categorize all Cubans and lump us together. I am Cuban too, but I do not support that.”
In the same video, he explained that he came to Mexico with the intention of working and progressing on his own: “I came to this country to work, to get ahead by my own means. I didn't come to demand anything from anyone, much less to protest as if I were owed something.”
The young woman also urged empathy and the recognition of the opportunity that the host country represents.
"Mexico has opened its doors to us, and we must be grateful for that instead of continuing to demand things that do not belong to us. Have a little empathy and be grateful, as Mexico owes us nothing. It is us who owe Mexico," he emphasized.
A new caravan of Cuban migrants set out from Tapachula to Mexico City with the aim of pressuring authorities to regularize their status.
The departure was organized through WhatsApp groups, in response to the desperation of those who have been trapped for months in precarious conditions, without formal employment and facing discrimination.
Migrants report a corruption network in Tapachula, where lawyers charge up to 22,000 Mexican pesos to "expedite" procedures with Comar and INM.
They claim that those who do not pay see their asylum applications rejected without explanation, even when presenting cases of persecution or vulnerability.
In response to these conditions, around 1,200 migrants, mostly Cubans, began a walk towards the center of the country.
Participants assert that they are not seeking charity, but the right to work and live with dignity. The march was accompanied by Mexican security forces, while human rights groups warned about the administrative collapse in the southern part of the country.
Amid the debate, critical positions emerged within the migrant community itself.
A young Cuban resident in Mexico expressed her disapproval of the protests, questioning why many of those demanding rights today never spoke out within Cuba. In her view, Mexico has been a supportive nation that deserves gratitude, not demands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Migration in Mexico
Why do some Cubans in Mexico participate in migrant caravans?
Cubans participate in migrant caravans to pressure Mexican authorities to expedite immigration regularization processes. Many face delays and bureaucratic hurdles that leave them stranded in places like Tapachula, Chiapas. These mobilizations also aim to raise awareness about the precarious conditions and lack of opportunities they encounter during their stay in Mexico.
What does the Cuban community think about the protests in Mexico?
The Cuban community is divided regarding the protests. While some see the caravans as a necessity to demand basic rights, others, like @laura__melisa, criticize these actions arguing that Cubans should not demand in Mexico what they did not request in Cuba. There are those who believe that these protests affect the perception of all Cubans abroad.
What is the situation of Cuban migrants in Tapachula, Chiapas?
Tapachula has become a migratory "bottleneck" for Cubans and other migrants who are waiting to regularize their status. The saturation of asylum applications and slow bureaucratic processes have forced many to remain in precarious conditions, facing discrimination and obstacles in finding employment.
How do migration demonstrations affect the perception of Cubans in Mexico?
Migratory manifestations can negatively impact the perception of Cubans in Mexico, as some Mexicans and other migrants might generalize the behavior of a few to the entire Cuban community. This can lead to prejudices and hinder the integration of those who seek to contribute positively to Mexican society.
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