Dream of Leaving: Cuban Man Shares Aspirations for a New Life

A Cuban resident has taken to social media to express his longing to migrate with his family to Spain. In a heartfelt video recorded outside the Spanish consulate in Havana, William shared his aspiration to one day be among those in line at this diplomatic office, with hopes of starting a fresh life beyond the borders of Cuba. "Someday, I'll be there too, along with my mom, my sister, and my niece. Hopefully, we can escape from here," said William, who describes himself as a "guajiro," humbly revealing his dream to leave the island behind.

"I want to take a break for a while, though I know I'll miss the island," he admitted. "Dreaming costs nothing, and anything can become a reality," he added with conviction in the video uploaded to his account @williamcampesino.

The video, titled "A Dream for the Future" and shared a few weeks ago, moved hundreds on TikTok who resonated with his words, offering support and encouragement. "If God wills, Cuba will be free, and you won't have to flee," one user commented. "The dream that seems distant today will be your reality tomorrow," another follower wrote. "When you arrive, I'll help you," promised someone from Spain.

Amidst the support, practical reminders also surfaced. "You need to hurry because the law ends on October 22," one user noted, referencing the Law of Democratic Memory, although William does not directly mention this process.

This law, effective since October 2022, has enabled thousands of Cubans with Spanish ancestry to begin the process of obtaining citizenship. However, the process on the island has been marred by consulate backlogs, document fraud, and changes in the appointment system, leading to uncertainty. Starting June 23, the consulate will discontinue its current platform, and those who have not booked by then will need to restart the process.

William's story, however, does not delve into these technicalities. He simply dreams. Standing in front of the diplomatic office, he shares his hope of leaving Cuba and finding opportunities for himself and his family.

This isn't William's first social media testimony expressing his desire to leave the island. In December 2024, under the username William Sanjul, he publicly voiced his frustration over not being able to emigrate, stating, "Even selling everything I have won't be enough for a plane ticket." Both posts highlight a persistent dream: to leave Cuba with his family and start anew far from hardship—a dream that, while not guaranteeing departure, at least offers hope.