Javier Díaz: "Cubans Are Living a Curse"

Cuban journalist Javier Díaz, a familiar face on Univisión 23 in Miami, once again touched his followers with a heartfelt and raw message on Facebook. In his post, he delves into the plight of thousands of undocumented Cuban migrants in the United States and the historical tragedy of a people forced to seek their future far from home. "Cubans are living a curse: emigrating, begging for acceptance in foreign lands where we'll never truly be happy," Díaz lamented. "There's nothing like being born and living in our Homeland... thriving and raising our families in Cuba," he added.

His message begins with empathy for those enduring the anxiety of undocumented life in a foreign country: "No one can truly put themselves in the shoes of an undocumented person… Regardless of what anyone says, you remain alone in your experience. Not even I, the one writing these lines, can fully understand."

Díaz acknowledges that he, too, went through this process, achieving residency in the United States after a year and a day. However, he admits that time is relative, and what thousands of Cubans face today could have easily been his own struggle. "The saddest part is that those of us who are now residents or citizens will never fully understand their plight… It's something you must live and suffer through firsthand, as they are doing," he expressed.

The Dream of a Free Cuba

The broadcaster also reflects on what Cuba could have been and what it still has the potential to become. He expresses his longing to one day hold his country's flag when it is free and calls for hope: "Cubans have been an extraordinary 'civilization' throughout history, and we can rebuild our own empire… All it takes is unleashing our ingenuity, and we'll return to what we were before, when the Cuban peso was even more valuable than the dollar," he emphasized.

A Voice with Authority on Migration

Coming from someone like Javier Díaz, the message carries even greater weight. His journalistic work has sensitively and rigorously documented the harsh realities of Cuban migration. Over the years, he has earned the respect and admiration of his audience not only for his professional talent but also for the honesty with which he narrates his own journey. Díaz emigrated in January 2016, following a challenging trek through Central America. His first job in the United States was in the kitchen of a restaurant in San Antonio, Texas, as he sought to rebuild his life from scratch.

With a background in Social Communication, he managed to break into Hispanic media, becoming a familiar presence in households across South Florida. "I'm just another immigrant, another Cuban who arrived and felt proud to also touch this flag," he wrote, reflecting on his anniversary of arrival this past January.

The Emotional Toll of Forced Migration

Despite his success, Díaz has never shied away from criticizing the Cuban regime or highlighting the emotional and structural scars left by forced migration. In May 2024, he described life on the island as “a cage” whose magnitude is only understood once one is free. "Being born and living in Cuba is like being trapped in a cage, and only when the door opens do you truly soar for the first time… Only a Cuban can comprehend what that means," he declared back then.

The journalist's latest post sparked a wave of reactions; many users expressed gratitude for his words during a particularly challenging time for thousands of Cubans awaiting immigration resolutions or facing the hardships of exile. Díaz, who is currently dealing with a lumbar hernia, has received numerous messages of support for his humanity, moral clarity, and commitment to truth. His testimony serves as a reminder that freedom is not merely a destination but a process involving struggle, memory, and dignity.