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A Cuban father identified as Mayito Rivero published a heartbreaking birthday message this Thursday on Facebook, in which he reveals that he has not celebrated that date for two years since his eldest son emigrated to the United States.
The man revealed that his son, Yonny Lazaro Rivero Fernandes, left for the United States about two years ago in search of better living conditions, as hundreds of thousands of Cubans have done in recent years.
My birthday no longer feels like a celebration, the father wrote in his post, revealing the deep pain caused by his son's absence on such a special date.
Her words resonated with thousands of Cubans who are facing similar situations, separated from their loved ones by the mass emigration that has affected the island in recent years.
Many users who commented on the post expressed that they felt a knot in their throat because I am going through that, while others congratulated the grieving father, highlighting that the drama of families separated by emigration is a collective wound in Cuban society.
Cuban emigration has reached historic levels in recent years.
According to recent data, 1.79 million Cubans have left the island during that period, an unprecedented demographic drain driven by the economic, political, and social crisis facing the country.
The reasons behind this exodus are well known: average salaries of only 16 dollars a month, constant blackouts, and a widespread lack of future prospects are driving thousands of Cubans, especially the youth, to leave their families in search of a better life.
Stories of reunions and separations are multiplying on social media.
Recently, a Cuban father who emigrated returned to the island after more than four years of absence, featuring an emotional reunion that also moved thousands of followers online.
Another case that went viral was that of a son who deceived his father into believing he was picking up a package at the airport, when in fact it was a surprise reunion that thrilled all of Cuba.
The message from Mayito Rivero is yet another reflection of the human cost that emigration imposes on Cuban families, forced to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and important moments with an empty chair at the table and the hope of a reunion that, for many, takes too long to arrive.
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