A Cuban resident in the United States experienced a bitter surprise on Christmas Eve when she discovered that her car had been left without any wheels. The woman, identified as Leyanet Naranjo (@naranjosleya), shared a video on TikTok showing the vehicle on blocks and her outrage at what had happened: "It's one thing to experience it and another to hear about it. Look at this… I have nothing against deporting people, but if it's someone who is dedicated to doing these things, they should take them away."
The post quickly went viral and sparked an intense debate among users. While some understood her frustration, others criticized her for suggesting that the thief might be an undocumented immigrant. “If you don’t know who it was, why do you think it was an undocumented person?” a follower wrote to her. Others, however, supported her anger and shared similar experiences: “There’s no security in any condominium anymore.”
Amid the avalanche of comments, Leyanet decided to upload a second video explaining what really happened. According to her, the car was not hers, but rather a replacement vehicle she received after a traffic accident in which she wasn't at fault. “In my condominium, they are not used to seeing this type of new car, and of course, it caught the attention of all the crafty people in the area,” she clarified.
The theft occurred on December 24, just as her husband was preparing to go to work. “When I woke up and saw that, like anyone, I was extremely upset. I posted the video expressing my disdain for that kind of people,” she explained. “If they’re not from here, deport them, and if they are from here, send them to Bukele. That was the message.”
Naranjo emphasized that many misunderstood his words and that his comment was not directed against immigrants, but rather against criminals. “I imagine that those who reacted are relatives of those who engage in such activities,” he said, referring to those who attacked him in the comments. “The true culprit is not only the one who steals but also those who justify those actions.”
The case reignited the conversation about insecurity in various cities in the United States where thousands of Cubans live. In the comment section, many agreed that situations like this are becoming increasingly common, even in areas considered safe. "We are immigrants, but we are also workers, and it’s frustrating that such things happen," wrote one user, reflecting the sentiment shared by those who identified with the story.
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