A Cuban living in the United States stirred up controversy on TikTok with a bold response to a user who challenged him to name people living better in Cuba than in the U.S. In a video shared on the @youssel80 account, the man passionately lists three reasons why, in his opinion, some Cubans on the island—particularly those with financial means—enjoy better living conditions than many U.S. immigrants.
He opens with, "It's simple; I'll give you just three examples so you won't get upset, though you will." He then elaborates, "Those who own homes in Cuba truly own them, unlike you here; you'll never fully own yours. Those with cars have paid in cash, while here, you're stuck with monthly payments, and if you miss one, goodbye car."
As a third point, he highlights, "In Cuba, they wake up whenever they want without the stress of running out of money by the first of the month, unlike here." He warns his listener not to dismiss the argument by saying wealthy Cubans are a minority, concluding, "We're talking about those with money in Cuba living 100 times better than you from here to China because it's clear you don't have a dollar."
The video ignited a heated discussion on social media. Some users agreed that economically advantaged Cubans might indeed have better living conditions than those enduring the struggles of life in exile. Others criticized the statement for ignoring the harsh reality faced by the majority of the Cuban population, who suffer from inflation, power outages, and shortages of essential goods.
Debate on Cuban Living Conditions
What reasons does the Cuban in the video give for better living conditions in Cuba?
He cites three reasons: homeownership in Cuba is genuine, cars are paid for in cash, and Cubans can wake up without financial stress, unlike many immigrants in the U.S.
How did social media react to the video?
The video sparked a strong debate. Some agreed with the viewpoint, while others criticized it for overlooking the difficulties faced by the majority of Cubans, including economic hardships and shortages.