Yaniuska López, known on social media as @lacubanita.official, announced her permanent return to Cuba after having lived in Angola.
In an emotional video that sparked a wave of reactions among her followers, the young woman shared the reasons that led her to make the decision to return home and confessed that she has "a divided heart" because her dad is staying in Africa.
"Emigrating is not easy. One leaves family, customs, and their people behind. Although I have experienced beautiful things in Angola, there have also been moments when I reflect, and only I know how hard it has been," she says with a trembling voice.
Yaniuska openly acknowledges that Angola offered her a quality of life and purchasing power far superior to that of Cuba, but no material comfort could outweigh the burden on her heart.
"There are decisions that are not made with the head, but with the soul. And truly, returning does not mean failure; it means listening to what I truly need," she asserts.
The young woman has no illusions about what awaits her. She is fully aware of the Cuba she is returning to, a country marked by power outages of up to 18 hours a day, extreme shortages of food and fuel, an economy that has fallen by more than 23% since 2019, and an internet connection that she herself describes as "very poor."
"Yes, I know, Cuba is in bad shape. It's no secret, but I'm happy and that's the most important thing," he says bluntly.
The phenomenon of Cubans returning from abroad is becoming increasingly visible on social media. Unlike deportations, these returns are almost always driven by emotional reasons: the unbearable distance from family, nostalgia, and the difficulty of adapting to a life built far from loved ones.
The debate is intense on social media. Some internet users applaud the bravery of listening to oneself, while others criticize the decision given the seriousness of the crisis that Cuba is experiencing.
Yaniuska knows it, accepts it, and is grateful to Angola for the good times and hospitality. "I leave with lessons learned, with experiences gained, and with a much stronger version of myself," she concludes.
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