From the iconic Rosalía de Castro Park in Lugo, a Cuban woman celebrated her first month in Spain on TikTok, sharing a journey that many families in Cuba still dream of: legally leaving Cuba with their loved ones and a promising future ahead. "Everyone knows that leaving Cuba is tough, extremely complicated," Walkys admits candidly. She explains how the Democratic Memory Law enabled her husband to gain Spanish citizenship, allowing her to secure a family member visa. With this vital document, after a lengthy process, she traveled with her daughter from Cuba to Spain, without separations or perilous routes, and without leaving anyone behind.
Approved in Spain in 2022, the law has allowed many descendants of Spaniards in Cuba to apply for citizenship. For Walkys, this right opened a seemingly unreachable door: emigrating safely with her family. "Thanks to that law, the endless paperwork we endured under the scorching sun, the long waits for document legalizations, and countless appointments... we managed to travel to Spain together," she summarizes.
Her account is far from idyllic. "I won't romanticize it," she clarifies. The visa was merely the beginning. Upon arrival, she was met with bustling markets and unfamiliar landscapes, but also with bureaucracy, uncertainty, and the looming question: "What's next?" Her heartfelt testimony has resonated on social media, where many Cubans share similar experiences, and others, still in Cuba, listen with hope. "You've begun the immigrant's journey," a follower comments, "reality is harsher than fiction, but if you believe in yourself... you'll succeed."
Before sharing her story from Lugo, Walkys had already posted intimate glimpses of her journey: the joy of seeing her visa stamped in her passport, the heartfelt farewells to family in Cuba, and the weight of leaving even her pet behind. In one of the most touching images, she is seen holding her daughter at the airport, writing: "We did it for her." This drive—to protect her family and seek a better future—pervades her entire narrative.
Now in Spain, Walkys has also shared intriguing details about her adaptation process, such as the things that surprised her most upon arrival: windows with blinds, organized trash containers, and daylight lasting until ten at night. Her fresh perspective has sparked interest and conversation among both Cubans and Spaniards.
For Walkys, despite the long road traveled, the fact that they made the journey as a family changes everything.
Understanding the Journey from Cuba to Spain
What law helped many Cubans emigrate to Spain?
The Democratic Memory Law, approved in Spain in 2022, has allowed many descendants of Spaniards in Cuba to apply for Spanish citizenship, facilitating their emigration.
How did Walkys manage to travel with her family to Spain?
Walkys was able to travel with her family to Spain thanks to her husband obtaining Spanish citizenship through the Democratic Memory Law, which allowed her to secure a family member visa.
What challenges did Walkys face upon arriving in Spain?
Upon arriving in Spain, Walkys faced challenges such as dealing with bureaucracy, uncertainty, and adapting to new surroundings and cultural differences.