“One day you wake up and realize that you are no longer surviving, but truly living”. With that reflection, a Cuban residing 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 mind to work, buy what she needs, and build 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 for evaluating the quality of life in a migration destination.
"They say that Uruguay is expensive, but no one talks to you about this," he begins to say, before acknowledging that the criticisms regarding the cost of living are justified.
"Many people say that Uruguay is expensive, that it's a small country for so many people, and they are 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 that; there are things that are challenging, there are processes that take time, and adapting is not always easy," they express.
But right away, he introduces what he considers the most important aspect of his experience: "There is something that is hardly ever discussed when talking about 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 out of reach 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 draws on his experience in Cuba to explain why he finds that difference so important.
"In my country, Cuba, it is also expensive, and not only that, it is scarce; you can't find what you need, and you can't buy what you want when you need it," he notes.
The Cuban describes the weariness caused by long waits and the uncertainty of not knowing when an essential product will become available.
The situation she recalls contrasts with the routine she claims to have found in Uruguay, where she emphasizes the ability to manage her income and use it to meet her everyday needs.
"Here, it's completely different; everything is simple: you work, you get paid, you go, and you shop. Uruguay provides tranquility, gives you peace, offers silence," he summarizes.
The young woman does not present her experience as a story free of difficulties. She acknowledges that starting anew, away from family, customs, and the familiar environment, poses challenges that do not disappear simply because one 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 is hard; you miss things, you compare, you have doubts, there are tough days," he acknowledges.
And it is precisely after mentioning those difficulties that he utters the phrase that summarizes the message of his video:
"But one day you wake up and realize that you are no longer surviving; you are living."
For Danis, this transformation is related to the ability to plan, trust in the outcome of the work, and regain a certain level of predictability in daily life.
"You start to feel stability, you begin to trust that your effort is worth it," she expresses.
Uruguay, an increasingly important destination for Cuban emigrants
Danis's testimony comes at a time when Uruguay has become one of the significant destinations for Cuban emigration in South America.
The search for economic opportunities, greater stability, and the possibility of legal settlement has led thousands of citizens from the Island to embark on journeys that, in many cases, cross multiple countries.
In October, a report on the migration route from Cuba to Uruguay, passing through Guyana and Brazil, documented how thousands of people use this path to reach the South American country.
Between January and October 2025, over 11,000 Cubans crossed the joint immigration control of Santana do Livramento-Rivera at the Brazil-Uruguay border, according to data cited in the report.
The journey may involve traveling thousands of kilometers, incurring significant expenses, and facing challenges along the way. Therefore, reaching the destination does not always mean that the problems have ended.
In September, two young Cubans residing in Uruguay responded to criticism regarding the rising influx of migrants from the Island and urged those who question this movement to consider the reasons why so many people choose to leave Cuba.
In their message, they mentioned the blackouts, food shortages, difficulties in obtaining medications, and other hardships that many Cuban families face.
However, the integration of newcomers also presents significant obstacles, particularly in terms of documentation and immigration regularization.
At the end of June 2026, Uruguay had 30,715 pending asylum requests, of which approximately 89% were from Cuban citizens, according to figures from the Refugee Commission (CORE).
The magnitude of the delay prompted complaints from individuals who had been waiting for years for a response. 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 this situation, the Uruguayan government approved a decree on October 8, 2026, establishing a new modality of permanent residency for grounded cases, which could benefit many Cuban migrants.
The measure targets certain foreigners who entered the country legally before January 1, 2026, and have a pending asylum application, which they must renounce in order to take advantage of the new procedure, or who have received a final denial.
Residency is not granted automatically. Applicants must prove, among other requirements, their identity, criminal record, and means of subsistence. The decree states that it will come into effect 90 days after its official publication.
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