Joel Cerro, a Cuban living in the United States who goes by @omo_mikek3 on TikTok, has gone viral after posting an emotional video pleading for the resignation of Miguel Díaz-Canel. Cerro holds the Cuban government responsible for the separation of families and the hardships faced by Cubans both on the island and abroad.
"Asere, I'm begging you on my knees. Stop this already. How long must Cubans continue to suffer?" he asked in the video. Joel, who fled to the U.S. four years ago and currently lives under political asylum without regular immigration status, expressed his gratitude to the U.S. despite his uncertain situation. "I only have political asylum; I don't have an I-220A, parole, or anything like that, and honestly, I'm not worried. If one day this country deports me, I will still be grateful to it, much more than to my own country," he stated, emphasizing the value he places on the ability to support his family from exile over his immigration challenges.
The Emotional Toll of Illness in Cuba
Cerro's plea is driven by the fact that his brother, who is just 45, is battling cancer in Cuba and cannot access necessary medical treatments. "Right now, my mother and brother need me. I want to give them a hug and a kiss, but I can't because if I return... what will happen after that?" he lamented. From the U.S., Joel sends the required medications, food, remittances for his son, and even appliances to improve their living conditions amidst the ongoing crisis caused by the regime's policies.
"Down with the Dictatorship. Freedom for Cuba"
The video concludes with a strong denunciation of the Díaz-Canel administration. Joel asserts that the blame for Cuba's woes does not lie with U.S. presidents or their immigration policies. "The reason we're here isn't the fault of the United States, nor President Trump, nor Biden, nor anyone else. It's Miguel Díaz-Canel and the Cuban dictatorship," he declared.
Cuban Migrants at the Breaking Point
Joel's testimony resonates with many Cuban emigrants living under the shadow of potential deportation due to stricter U.S. immigration policies. Many arrived without regular status and rely on political asylum or are caught in uncertain immigration processes, all while trying to consistently support their loved ones in Cuba.
Adding to their burden is a recent policy by the state-run ETECSA monopoly, which limits the purchase of phone credit in the local currency, forcing phone recharges to be made exclusively from abroad. This move, seen by many as a control tactic, places an additional financial strain on emigrants who must ensure their families remain connected. Many find it challenging to sustain these ongoing expenses.
Emotional Hostages of the Regime
From afar, Cuban emigrants bear the heavy responsibility of supporting their families on the island, often sending medications, food, clothing, and money at the cost of personal sacrifices, precarious jobs, and foregoing their own enjoyment. Now, they must also cover exorbitant phone recharge costs to keep their loved ones connected. The regime's strategy turns family members into emotional hostages, demanding a price for every gesture of support or affection and profiting from it.
Cuban Exile Challenges and Solutions
What prompted Joel Cerro to call for Díaz-Canel's resignation?
Joel Cerro's call for Díaz-Canel's resignation was prompted by his frustration with the Cuban regime, which he blames for family separations and the suffering of the Cuban people both on the island and in the diaspora.
How is Joel Cerro supporting his family in Cuba?
Joel Cerro supports his family in Cuba by sending medications, food, remittances, and appliances from the United States, despite the challenges he faces with his immigration status.
What impact does the ETECSA policy have on Cuban emigrants?
The ETECSA policy forces phone recharges to be made exclusively from abroad, creating an additional financial burden for Cuban emigrants who must ensure their families remain connected, adding to their ongoing expenses.