A Cuban resident in the United States ignited social media with a straightforward and direct message aimed at those receiving remittances from abroad and who consider them insufficient. She warned that the 20 dollars arriving on the island do not come easily; they are taken from the pocket of the person earning them.
The video was published by content creator Yuyuvlogs on her Facebook account under the title How much is 12,000 pesos in Cuba?. It is a response to another Cuban who complained that this amount —equivalent to about 20 dollars— "is nothing" because it doesn't even last for two weeks of food on the island.
"You are right, 12 thousand pesos are nothing in Cuba, but what you need to see is that at least those of us who are here help you with that money that comes to you, the money you didn't work for, didn't fight for, the money that didn't require you to get up at 5:30 a.m.," replied the video's creator.
Far from denying Cuba's precariousness, the creator focuses on what those 20 dollars mean for the person sending them: "They are sleepless hours, they are going to bed very late, putting off things at home to go to work the next day."
"Here, one sets aside those 20 dollars to send to Cuba. Those 20 dollars represent food for our children, a pair of shoes they need, school supplies, a medical consultation," Yuyu emphasized.
His message concludes with a clear warning: "If you have the opportunity to have someone on this side helping you, even if it's with a thousand pesos, be grateful. Because behind that money, there are countless things that person sacrificed to give it to you."
The comments on the video reflected an experience shared by Cubans in various countries.
"It's not just money, it's sacrifice, it's love. Many times, those who are in charge from afar don't send what's extra; they send what they truly need. Blessings to all those who give their all for their loved ones," wrote a follower.
From Italy, another user pointed out that "20 euros is two hours of non-stop work" and that is why people from abroad get tired of the lack of appreciation for their effort.
A Cuban woman in Brazil recounted that she earns 100 reais in a day "cleaning like the slave Isaura," and it pains her that when she sends money to Cuba, people sometimes do not appreciate that effort.
A resident in Florida was more succinct: "I live in Miami, and if someone gives me 20 dollars right now, I'll be happy."
Another Cuban abroad expressed: "I wish those in Cuba could come out to see what the son is really like. Some say it's luck to earn money. It's not luck at all. It's sacrifice, sleepless hours, loneliness, bad nights, and working from Monday to Monday just to send those 20 dollars that may mean nothing to some there, but for those who sweat for it, it's a lot."
The tension between those who send and those who receive remittances is a recurring debate within the Cuban diaspora, heightened by the reality that the cost of living in host countries—rent, transportation, childcare—often leaves little room for savings, and remittances typically come directly from that extremely tight budget.
A user summed up the frustration of many Cuban emigrants in a single sentence: "They tell me 'send me money or send me 50 euros; that's nothing.' I would like to send them the water or electricity bill to see if they analyze and think about it, but they are not ready for that conversation."
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