Young Cuban Woman's Heartfelt Farewell to Grandmother Who Chooses to Return to Cuba

"We're laughing, but deep down there's a profound sadness because going back to Cuba under the current circumstances is not easy. It's madness. Life goes on," the granddaughter expressed. A young Cuban woman, known on TikTok as @bombonleal07, shared a touching and contemplative video that has gained viral attention on social media: her grandmother made the difficult choice to return to Cuba after emigrating to the United States.

In the video, the young woman mentions, "My grandmother is going to self-deport to Cuba," while filming her grandmother and other family members making their way to the departure area at a U.S. airport. The scene, blending humor with sadness and resignation, has struck a chord with many Cubans both on the island and abroad, highlighting the sensitive issue of dislocation and the challenges elderly migrants face in adjusting to life abroad.

"It was her choice, which is why I always say to talk to the elders and explain how things are here in the USA. We spend so much money, only for them to want to leave and not feel comfortable here," the young woman reflected in the video.

The Emotional Weight of Self-Deportation

Though the video begins on a light note, it soon delves into a deeply emotional reflection. "We're laughing, but deep down there's a profound sadness because going back to Cuba under the current circumstances is not easy. It's madness. Life goes on," she concluded. The act of "self-deportation," as the granddaughter describes it, underscores a growing reality among the Cuban diaspora: not all migrants, particularly the elderly, manage to adapt.

Nostalgia, language barriers, social isolation, and unmet expectations can lead to drastic decisions such as returning to a crisis-stricken country. The video has amassed thousands of views and comments, offering empathy, support, and shared sorrow over a situation that captures the emotional complexities of the Cuban migration experience.