He left Cuba with $500 and now has his own workshop in Texas: The story of the veterinarian who fulfilled his promise to the Virgin

In 2022, Juan Hernández left Cuba with only 500 dollars in his pocket, a suitcase, and the determination to find a better future.

Three years later, that leap of faith has led him to build a new life in San Antonio, Texas, where he runs his own welding shop named after a spiritual promise: "Las 3 vírgenes."

Hernández recalls that the trigger for his departure was the crisis in his homeland.

"The situation in Cuba has worsened significantly, even to this day," he explained to Univisión.

His family kept track of how he was progressing throughout the journey to the United States.

He always had his goal very clear: "To try to pursue a better dream for myself and my family."

Juan has been successful, but leaving his old life behind was not easy at all.

In Havana, I worked as a veterinarian, a profession I deeply loved, but I had to leave it behind to start over upon arriving in my new country.

A promise that ended up turning into a business

During his journey, Hernández clung to his devotion to the three Cuban virgins. That faith, he claims, gave him the courage to take the leap.

Before leaving Cuba, he asked for protection to arrive safely at his destination. "I asked them for everything to go well, and I promised that if they brought me safely to the United States, I would name the business after them," he stated.

Today, that promise comes to life in his welding workshop, which supports his family and marks the beginning of a new life.

Although he doesn't practice as a veterinarian, Hernández proudly says that his current work "has created the entire dream we wanted to create."

A path built as a family

Beside him is his wife, Carmen Hurtado, of Mexican descent, who emphasizes that the Virgin of Guadalupe has been their spiritual guide since they started their life in Texas.

Both traveled together to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico to give thanks for the journey they have taken and the opportunities they have encountered.

From there, they sent a message to those arriving in the United States with similar dreams: never stop fighting, keep the faith, and trust that discipline and consistency can turn the most challenging goals into reality.

The story of Juan Hernández is a testament to the efforts of thousands of Cubans who, driven by hope and resilience, rebuild their lives away from home, motivated by the desire for a dignified future for themselves and their families.