A young Cuban identified on TikTok as Heydita (@heydi_garcia18) became a topic of discussion on social media after posting a video on Saturday in which she candidly reveals the source of the money that allows her to live a comfortable life on the island.
In the 23-second clip, Heydita explains that her husband lives in the United States, works as a truck driver, and spends most of his time on the road. According to her, he prefers that she stays in Cuba rather than moving north with him.
"My husband lives in the United States and I live in Cuba. And no, he doesn't want me to go live with him. He prefers that I continue living in luxury," the young woman states in the video.
The detail that generated the most reactions was the anecdote about housing: “I asked for sixty thousand dollars for a house and all he asked me was about the color.”
Heydita ends her message with a phrase that divided opinions: "A couple doesn't always have to live in the same country."
The video accumulated over 687,000 views, 24,200 likes, and nearly 3,000 comments in less than 48 hours, reflecting the impact it had on the Cuban community both on and off the island.
The case of Heydita illustrates an increasingly visible dynamic in Cuba: transnational couples in which one spouse works abroad and financially supports the one who remains on the island by sending remittances. 92% of remittances received by Cuba come from the United States, and Cubans in Miami send an average of 2,165 dollars a year to their families, although many transfer much higher amounts.
This flow of money makes a significant difference in a country where the majority depend on state salaries that barely cover basic needs. Those who receive dollars from abroad can buy homes, renovate them, and access goods and services completely out of reach for the average Cuban. The cost of renovating a house in Cuba can exceed 60,000 dollars, with individual items such as a slab costing around 7,000 dollars extra.
However, sending that money is becoming increasingly complicated. In February 2025, Western Union indefinitely suspended money transfers from the United States to Cuba following sanctions from the Trump administration against the Cuban company Orbit S.A. Since January 2026, Washington has also imposed a 1% tax on remittances paid in cash, money orders, or cashier's checks.
In light of the closure of formal channels, Cuban families are turning to alternative means such as mules, cryptocurrencies, and transfers to third countries to maintain the flow of money. Since January 2026, remittances can be cashed in dollars directly at CADECA offices in all 15 provinces of the country, making access to money easier once it arrives on the island.
The video by Heydita, beyond the debate about its relationship model, highlights the deep divide that exists in Cuba between those who have access to foreign dollars and those who survive with the Cuban peso amidst a crisis that shows no signs of letting up.
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