A Cuban content creator living in Uruguay with her partner shared on TikTok the emotional moment when they purchased their first car in that country: a second-hand Toyota bought at Automotora Canelón Chico, in the Canelones department.
The young woman, known on the platform as @lisdyps or "Green Eyes 2," posted the video at the end of June, accompanied by a narrative that quickly resonated with thousands of Cubans in the diaspora.
“We bought our first car in Uruguay and although for many it may just be a vehicle, for us it represents so much more,” says at the beginning of the clip.
The Cuban recalls that three years ago, when she still lived on the island, she could never have imagined this moment: "If someone had told me that today we would be buying our first car in Uruguay, I wouldn't have believed them."
Describe the migration process without romanticizing it: "It was not an easy journey. There were days of fear, of exhaustion, of wondering if all the effort would really be worth it." However, the conclusion drawn is what gives strength to the video: "Dreams do not come true overnight, they are built with sacrifice, patience, and the determination not to give up."
The phrase that resonated the most among her followers encapsulates the symbolic weight of buying a used car for Cubans. "I look at this moment and don't just see a car; I see every early morning working, every goal achieved, every obstacle we've managed to overcome, and every step that brought us closer to this point."
The video ends with a message for those who feel their dreams are distant: "Keep fighting, even if you sometimes move slowly, keep going, because one day you'll look back and realize that what seemed impossible has become your reality. And this is just the beginning."
The testimony of @lisdyps is part of a widespread trend among emigrated Cubans who document the purchase of their first vehicle on social media as a tangible symbol of their efforts after a tough migration process. This milestone is echoed in stories of Cubans in various countries across Latin America and the United States.
Uruguay has become one of the main destinations for this emigration. In 2025, a historic record of over 22,000 entries of Cubans into the country was registered, with a net migration balance of approximately 15,000 people and 13,852 Cubans who obtained the Uruguayan identity card for the first time.
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