“One day you wake up and realize that you are no longer surviving, but you are living”. With this reflection, a Cuban resident in Uruguay explained why, despite the high cost of living in the South American country, she believes that emigrating has allowed her to regain something she missed in Cuba: the peace of working, buying what she needs, and building a future with greater stability.
The young woman, identified on Facebook as Danis, shared a video in which she compares her experience in both countries and questions whether the price of products and services is the only criterion to assess the quality of life in a migration destination.
"They say Uruguay is expensive, but no one talks to you about this," he begins, before acknowledging that the criticisms regarding the cost of living are valid.
"Many people say that Uruguay is expensive, that it's a small country for so many people, and they're absolutely right," he admits.
However, for Danis, there is a fundamental difference between living in a place where products are expensive and living in another where, in addition to high prices, the most essential items are scarce.
"Uruguay is not perfect, and we know it; there are things that are challenging, there are processes that take time, and adapting is not always easy," he/she expresses.
But right away, he introduces what he considers the most important aspect of his experience: "There is something that is hardly ever mentioned when discussing the cost of living in a country, which is the real value of the life you lead".
His reflection revolves around a simple idea: that a product having a high price does not necessarily mean it is unattainable for someone who works and earns a sufficient income.
“And yes, Uruguay is expensive, but expensive doesn’t always mean impossible, because one thing is that something has a high price and another very different thing is being unable to access it,” he states.
Danis then uses his experience in Cuba to explain why that difference seems so important to him.
"In my country, Cuba, it is not only expensive, but also scarce; you can't find what you need, and you can't buy what you want when you need it," he says.
The Cuban describes the weariness caused by long waits and the uncertainty of not knowing when an essential product will become available.
The situation he recalls contrasts with the routine he claims to have found in Uruguay, where the ability to manage his income and use it to meet everyday needs stands out.
"Here it is completely different; here everything is simple: you work, you get paid, you go and shop. Uruguay provides you with peace of mind, it gives you calm, it offers you silence."
The Cuban also highlights the warm reception she has found in Uruguay. "As a migrant, I can say that most people welcome you well, help you, explain things to you, and are patient," she affirms.
The young woman does not present her experience as a story free of difficulties. She acknowledges that starting over far from family, familiar customs, and a known environment brings challenges that do not vanish simply because she lives in a country with better opportunities.
But it also speaks of the moments of nostalgia and uncertainty that accompany the migration process.
"Adapting is hard, of course it's hard; you miss things, you compare, you doubt, there are difficult days," he/she acknowledges.
And it is precisely after mentioning those difficulties that he utters the phrase summarizing the message of his video:
"But one day you wake up and realize that you are no longer surviving, but actually living."
For Danis, that transformation is related to the ability to plan, to trust in the results of work, and to regain a sense of predictability in daily life.
"You begin to feel stability, you start to trust that your effort is worthwhile," he/she expresses.
"Personally, I don't care whether Uruguay is expensive or not; when you set goals, work hard, and stay consistent, you can achieve anything you aim for," he states. He concludes, "So even though Uruguay may not be perfect, I choose to embrace its quality of life."
Uruguay, an increasingly important destination for Cuban emigrants
Danis's testimony emerges at a time when Uruguay has become one of the key destinations for Cuban emigration in South America.
The search for economic opportunities, greater stability, and the possibility of establishing themselves legally has driven thousands of citizens from the Island to undertake journeys that, in many cases, cross through multiple countries.
In October, a report on the migration route from Cuba to Uruguay, passing through Guyana and Brazil, documented how thousands of people are using this route to reach the South American country.
Between January and October 2025, more than 11,000 Cubans crossed the joint immigration control of Santana do Livramento-Rivera at the border between Brazil and Uruguay, according to data cited in the report.
The journey can involve travel over thousands of kilometers, high costs, and challenges along the way. Therefore, reaching the destination does not always mean that the problems are over.
In September, two young Cubans residing in Uruguay responded to criticism regarding the increasing arrival of migrants from the Island and urged those who question this movement to consider the reasons why so many people decide to leave Cuba.
In their message, they mentioned blackouts, food shortages, difficulties in obtaining medications, and other hardships that many Cuban families are facing.
However, the integration of newcomers also presents significant challenges, particularly regarding documentation and the regularization of their immigration status.
At the end of June 2026, Uruguay had a total of 30,715 pending asylum applications, of which approximately 89% were from Cuban citizens, according to figures from the Refugee Commission (CORE).
The magnitude of the delay led to complaints from individuals who had been waiting for a response for years. In early October, it was also revealed that only 52 Cubans had received formal recognition as refugees, despite the high number of applications submitted.
In light of that situation, the Uruguayan government approved a decree on October 8, 2026, which establishes a new permanent residency modality based on ties, which could benefit many Cuban migrants.
The measure is aimed at certain foreigners who legally entered the country before January 1, 2026, and have a pending asylum application, which they must withdraw in order to take advantage of the new procedure, or who have received a final denial.
Residence is not granted automatically. Interested parties must provide proof of, among other requirements, identity, criminal background, and means of support. The decree states that it will come into effect 90 days after its official publication.
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