The Cuban influencer Flor de Cuba sparked discussions on social media again with a video in which she talked about the people who manage to thrive within the island. Although the clip was deleted shortly after being posted, the account Papelencara shared it in time, provoking an intense debate among its followers.
“Living better in a prison does not mean loving the prison”, said Flor in what many consider one of her most powerful statements. In her message, she defended those who have managed to improve their quality of life within Cuba, asserting that “many who live well in Cuba do so not because of the system, but in spite of the system.”
The creator explained that those who prosper do not do so by chance or through connections, but rather through a different way of thinking. “Those who succeed in Cuba have a capitalist mentality. Do not confuse humility with poverty. They do not see themselves as victims, but as strategic individuals within a hostile system,” she stated firmly.
Flor also spoke about the importance of taking personal responsibility and no longer waiting for external solutions. “Justice is not going to save me; what is beyond my control will not save me; my actions and strategies will,” she stated. She added: “Waiting for justice in an unjust system is psychological suicide. In Cuba, there are people who create, survive, and thrive, and that is also a form of rebellion.”
The reactions came quickly. Some users praised her for her courage and clarity, while others criticized her for "romanticizing" success within an unequal reality. Comments like “Very true,” “What a great reflection,” or “It’s easy to talk when you’ve already made it” can be seen among the hundreds of responses generated by the post.
With this message, Flor de Cuba made it clear that their discourse was not one of complacency, but of strategy and resilience. Their reflection, beyond the controversy, reopened an uncomfortable yet necessary conversation: how to survive —and thrive— within a system that often seems designed to prevent it.
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