Two young Cubans living in Uruguay responded to comments questioning the increasing arrival of compatriots in the South American country with a video in which they contrast these criticisms with testimonies about blackouts, food shortages, difficulties accessing medications, and other hardships faced by families in Cuba.
The video was shared on Facebook from the profile Justin YPatry and begins with a phrase that, as explained, has been heard among some Uruguayans: «Cubans are invading Uruguay».
"That’s what some Uruguayans keep saying. Yes, because there are exceptions. But really, have you stopped to think about what happens on the other side?" suggests the young woman, apparently named Patry, before several recorded testimonies from Cuba begin to appear.
One of them corresponds to a man who openly asks for help: "Please, we need help. I'm tired; if I have to go to prison, I'll go to prison, but I don't care. I'm tired."
Another woman describes the difficulties of obtaining even basic products and medical care: “I have wanted to drink a glass of milk for years, a glass of milk. I am full of surgeries and I have no medical assistance whatsoever, neither for fever nor a pill for pain. Nothing, this is chaotic,” she states.
The video also includes the testimony of a Cuban woman who asks for help from U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele: “Even if I don’t see it, may the children and the young people see it,” she expresses during her statement.
Another man talks about the prolonged power outages and how they even affect the purchase of food. He explains that in his area, they can lose electrical service from six in the evening until six in the morning, while products like chicken must be purchased almost to be consumed immediately due to the risk of spoilage.
After presenting those testimonies, one of the young men, apparently Justin, addresses a message to those who question the arrival of Cubans in Uruguay.
"I hope that after seeing these images, you become aware and think a little more carefully the next time you send a Cuban to your country. Instead of considering why we arrived here in Uruguay, think a little more about why we left Cuba," he states.
At the end of the recording, the message "Down with the dictatorship" appears on the screen.
The authors clarified alongside the video that they do not believe the critical comments reflect the views of the entire Uruguayan society and emphasized the warm reception they have received since their arrival.
"We know that this type of comment does not represent the Uruguayan people, we are truly very grateful for the warm welcome we have received, we just wanted to leave this message in case we happen to raise awareness in someone," they wrote.
The post generated numerous reactions and sparked very different opinions regarding Cuban immigration and the appropriateness of addressing political issues through social media.
As Uruguayans, we are all descendants of immigrants; here, no one invades anyone. If we can give a home and an opportunity to someone coming from another country, they are more than welcome, wrote a person.
Another comment noted: "One must be empathetic. Solidarity and the well-being of others know no borders. Everyone has the right to migrate and be welcomed."
There were also users who advised young people to stay away from political controversies. "Guys, I genuinely tell you this for your own good, don't get involved in that controversy; it will be healthier," one expressed.
A Cuban who claimed to have been in Uruguay for four years expressed gratitude for the welcome received, but noted that there are limits to the matters in which migrants should get involved: "We came to seek a better life for our children," she wrote.
Other comments were more critical of the increase in immigration. "Yes, and taking jobs," one person stated succinctly, while another argued that newcomers should adapt "to the idiosyncrasies and customs" of the host country and respect its laws.
The debate occurs at a time when Uruguay has become one of the fastest-growing destinations for Cuban emigration.
More than 22,000 Cubans entered the country in 2025, while 13,852 received a Uruguayan identity card for the first time that year.
The growing presence of Cubans has also led to episodes of tension.
In January 2024, during a demonstration in Montevideo to demand easier migration regularization, several Cuban protesters were confronted by a man who shouted at them, "Go back to Cuba!", an incident that the participants denounced as xenophobic.
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