Kevin Hernández, a 20-year-old Cuban YouTuber, has joined the growing list of digital creators from the island who have chosen to leave in search of a brighter future. His initial stop was in Guyana, a country he had visited before. Reflecting on his experiences, he recalls that the hardest part of experiencing a different reality was returning to Cuba and making comparisons.
"My family never had the resources to support me well, let alone for me to leave the country," Kevin explains. Through his work as a content creator, selling what he had in Cuba, and with financial assistance from friends and subscribers, he and his partner, fellow digital creator Dariel Vázquez, managed to gather enough money to leave.
Describing the country he left behind, Kevin summarizes: "In Cuba, you have absolutely nothing... I love Cuba, but without a doubt, the current system, which has been in place for nearly 70 years, has turned Cuba into anything but a country—more like a wasteland, a place full of crime, where people are starving. We experienced nationwide blackouts, some lasting up to four days, causing our food to spoil. The internet was incredibly slow, and finding food was a struggle even if you had money. Watching your family outside of Havana struggle with barely three hours of electricity a day was heartbreaking."
For Kevin, as for many Cubans, the most challenging part was leaving behind his family, friends, and his beloved pet. Although the young YouTuber has yet to reveal the final destination of his journey or his current location, he has promised his followers that he will soon share more videos of his new life outside of Cuba.
Understanding the Cuban Exodus
Why are so many Cuban creators leaving the island?
Many Cuban creators are leaving the island due to the challenging living conditions, lack of opportunities, and the oppressive political system that has been in place for decades.
How did Kevin Hernández manage to fund his departure from Cuba?
Kevin funded his departure through his work as a content creator, by selling his possessions in Cuba, and with the financial help of friends and subscribers.