A Cuban who has been living in El Salvador for seven years posted a video showing the moment when the first columns of her own house are poured in that Central American country, responding with faith and gratitude to those who demand she return to Cuba to build there.
The clip, shared on their "Cubans in El Salvador" Facebook account, became a representative testimony of Cubans who have decided to settle in Central America.
In the 45-second video, the woman directly quotes the messages she receives: "And who are these Cubans who have come to make their home here in El Salvador? Go back to your country, make your home in your country."
Far from responding with bitterness, the protagonist chooses gratitude: "I am a Cuban who has been living in El Salvador for 7 years. And I am grateful to God for this land."
The video shows two people in a construction area next to a cement block house, with materials in the background, in what appears to be the yard of the future home.
"Thank God in this video we see how he was able to cast the first columns of my house. Why? Because faith and optimism are never lost," declares the Cuban with an emotional tone.
His message has a clear component of Christian faith: "Always keeping our eyes on Christ, for He is the one who strengthens us. So let's move forward, because there's no going back, not even to gain momentum."
The video closes with a promise and a statement: "You will see many more videos of Cubans making progress in El Salvador. Because when there is a will, there is a way. El Salvador is my blessed country. God bless it."
The testimony reflects a broader migration phenomenon. According to journalistic estimates from this month, more than 5,000 Cubans reside legally in El Salvador, although unofficial figures raise that number to between 10,000 and 15,000 people.
Historically, El Salvador was simply a transit point on the land route that Cubans used to reach the United States. However, since 2025, that pattern has changed: many have chosen to stay in Latin American countries where they find greater freedom and economic opportunities than those offered by the dictatorship on the Island.
The closure of borders in Nicaragua has propelled El Salvador and Costa Rica as emerging destinations for this community, hastening the process of permanent settlement.
The International Organization for Migration documented this shift in March 2026. Its regional director, María Moita, summarized it as follows: "Latin America is no longer just a corridor for migrants from Cuba; it is increasingly becoming the home they long for."
The experience of this Cuban woman —seven years in El Salvador, building her own house through her own efforts— contrasts with the reality of those who remain in Cuba, where the shortage of materials and lack of freedoms make it almost impossible for most people to build a home.
Filed under: