A Cuban in the U.S. Sparks Debate: "We're Here to Work, Not to Party"

Luis Sánchez, a Cuban known on TikTok as @bethechange80, has ignited a heated discussion on social media with a video nearly ten minutes long. In it, he recounts his life in Cuba and delivers a direct message to the Cuban diaspora: "We're here to work, not to party or have a good time."

Sánchez shares that his story began as a "ragamuffin," a child who "never had a toy" and often went to bed hungry, unable to sleep due to the heat and mosquitoes. He recalls being sent to the so-called field schools at the age of 11, where he was "torn from the arms of his mother and father" and sent to "terrifying places" with threats and unpleasant experiences.

By the age of 12 or 13, he was chopping wood, making charcoal, and taking on any job to earn "a little money." Despite working multiple jobs simultaneously—from repairing umbrellas and shoes to assisting on farms and working as an economist—he could not make ends meet. "There was always a minister you had to ask permission from to leave, and if granted, it came with the condition of paying five years of your life," he lamented.

His two years of mandatory military service also left a mark: "Do you think anyone asked if I wanted to do it? If I loved my country enough to voluntarily go there, risking my life for what?"

Sánchez decided to emigrate because "nothing and no one was holding me back; I've never liked being controlled." He arrived in the United States at 28, "without a mom or dad waiting with everything—a car, a job." He started working in hotels and CVS pharmacies while studying English full-time. Today, he proudly claims U.S. citizenship, owns two businesses, two properties, and has brought his entire family over.

The core of his video message is crystal clear: "Until you let go of the obsession with Cuba, you won't succeed—not here, not anywhere... I wholeheartedly respect that you love Cuba, but you left because it wasn't what you wanted." In the video's description, Sánchez added: "Cubans need to learn to value what they have achieved and, most importantly, their freedom. Less complaining, partying, stealing, committing crimes, manipulating, and more self-improvement. We're here to work, not to expect what you couldn't achieve in a lifetime in Cuba."

His post, which has garnered thousands of views, has polarized users. Supportive comments include: "You're absolutely right; here, you have to push forward, not complain"; "Bravo for saying it fearlessly; enough of the victimization"; and "Excellent reflection; this is what many don't want to hear." However, critics have also spoken out: "Brother, everyone deals with their struggles differently; not everyone has your strength"; "Life in Cuba is tough, but so is emigration; it's not black and white"; "It sounds like you resent those who still want to return"; and "Not everyone is as lucky as you; don't compare."

Some sought a middle ground: "I understand your point, but not all Cubans abroad come under the same conditions"; "That pride of having achieved it is valid, but remember not everyone has the same opportunities"; "I wish more people thought like you and focused on self-improvement."

Sánchez's speech comes amid a context where other exiled figures have delivered similar messages. Recently, Cuban-American musician Willy Chirino stated in an interview that "we're not here to be lazy and drink beer on the corner; we're here to work," sparking controversy and public defense by broadcaster Enrique Santos and presenter Alexander Otaola.

However, these warnings to newcomers aren't new. In May 2024, Arguelles Positivo released a video welcoming new migrants but cautioning them that "we're not here to invent" and stressing the need for independence and gratitude. In February 2025, user @soy_edgy emphasized that "we're here to work, not to cry," advising to learn English and avoid gossip. And in June 2024, Dayanis from Miami reminded that "living at the mercy of others is something you leave behind in Cuba."

In August 2023, another Cuban, Rosa Sánchez, was blunt: "We're here to work, suffer, cry," underscoring that life in the United States demands constant effort and that social media appearances don't reflect the real sacrifice.

The intensity of the current debate, with Luis Sánchez as the latest central figure, confirms that discussions about work, discipline, and adaptation in the Cuban diaspora continue to generate both support and opposition.