A young Cuban shared on TikTok her harrowing account of deportation and the challenging process of starting anew in Cuba, amid the economic crisis the Island is facing.
In a video posted on the account @roxynails_ciudadreal, the woman shared that she was studying at university when she decided to start a small nail business, inspired by her childhood hobby of painting the nails of family and friends.
She explained that her husband gave her the initial materials to start the business. For more than two years, she managed to maintain her own business until the pandemic worsened the already complex economic situation in the country.
"The situation in Cuba worsened, and we had to leave the country in search of a better future for ourselves and our family," he explained in the video.
The couple emigrated to Russia, where, according to their testimony, they faced very harsh conditions. She worked cleaning a two-story supermarket, while her husband took on various informal jobs.
Subsequently, with the outbreak of the war, they decided to leave that country and attempt to reach Spain. However, during the journey, they were arrested and deported to Cuba, an experience they described as one of the most difficult of their life.
"We returned to Cuba with nothing," he stated.
Back on the Island and without resources, she stated that the first thing she did, with the help of her family, was to buy the materials again to resume her nail business, convinced it was the only skill that could help her get ahead.
The video has generated numerous reactions on social media, where users highlight the resilience of many Cuban migrants who, after failed attempts to emigrate, must start over in a country marked by scarcity and a lack of opportunities.
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