Cuban Woman in the U.S. Reflects on Cuba Trip: "My Family is There, But I'd Rather Not Return"

In a candid video shared on social media, a Cuban woman living in the United States recounted her recent trip to Cuba with stark honesty. "Thank God I was there for a short time because I was desperate to get back home," she confessed, describing her experience on the island, filled with power outages, scarcity, and a constant sense of discomfort. "As I told my son, we were both pretty predisposed. Honestly, I don't like going at all. Sometimes I feel obligated because I still have family there. But if it were up to me, I'd choose never to go back," she stated firmly. "I don't want to see how things are there anymore. That chapter in my life closed a long time ago."

During her account, she highlighted the extended power outages she faced: "It's more than 10 to 12 hours without electricity. It's a critical situation." She also detailed how they had to cook using electric resistors: "What I filmed was a makeshift heater to warm milk because there’s not even gas available. It's very hard to find, and when you do, it's outrageously expensive."

She showed how they prepared meals in complete darkness: "We were making tamales during a full-day blackout. The power goes out from 9 a.m. until 9:30 or 10 p.m. Luckily, we didn’t experience any outages overnight, but that can happen at any time they decide to cut the power."

Despite the hardships, she acknowledged the unique taste of Cuban food: "You really enjoy the food because the flavor is a bit different from what we're used to."

In her narrative, she also showcased a portable flashlight she brought from the U.S., which was highly appreciated by her family in Cuba: "Thanks to this flashlight I brought, everyone was thrilled because look how it lights up. It’s solar rechargeable and can charge phones too. It was a great purchase. Honestly, you need everything there, and something so small solves a big problem."

Although the trip was brief, it was filled with challenging moments. She showed how they cooked with portable stoves and mentioned that her son got sick at the end: "That happened on the last day because the next day he fell ill."

Her story sparked a wave of reactions from Cubans on social media, many identifying with her words. "I understand you; I stopped going years ago," one follower commented. Another wrote, "That's how it is for me, but my parents are still there." Several expressed sadness or resignation: "I prefer to send them everything they need rather than go there; it's very sad," "It's terrible how people are living in Cuba," "I last went 13 years ago."

Other messages offered a different perspective, focusing on family ties: "There are families you have to visit; creating the right conditions is ideal," "When you lack humility, you think like this. Being Cuban is in your blood, regardless of hardship or luxury."

This testimonial adds to those of other Cuban expatriates who have shared their recent experiences on the island. In May, another Cuban mother, upon returning, stated, "Every day is worse, without exaggeration," urging those living abroad not to visit Cuba, asserting that "you'll leave feeling depressed, sad, bad."

Conversely, other videos have celebrated family reunions. In June, a Cuban woman who traveled to see her father declared, "I didn't come for a government; I came for the man who taught me to walk," in a story widely shared on social media.

The woman in this latest account had previously gained attention in April with another video discussing her life in the U.S. caring for her son and grandmother, where she admitted, "It's been quite challenging, but I'm grateful to do it from home."

The diverse testimonies of Cuban exiles reignite the debate: Is it worth returning to a deteriorating Cuba? For some, the answer lies with family; for others, it's about avoiding the pain of a reality they can no longer bear.