An American resident of Cuban descent took to TikTok to share her urgent trip to Havana to visit her ailing father. Her story stands out as she faced no issues with U.S. immigration authorities upon her return, a stark contrast to the complaints of other Cubans on social media. This account has sparked numerous reactions from users who either related to her experience or shared similar stories.
Identified as @lizdelgado1976, the woman explained that she arranged her trip on short notice due to her father's deteriorating health, hospitalized in Havana since July. "My parents are alone in Havana, with minimal family support," she noted, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating support in person alongside her brother.
The journey was brief yet emotionally charged. She departed for Cuba on a Thursday and returned to the United States the following Monday. Upon arriving in Miami, she reported not being taken to the "little room" or interrogated, a situation other travelers have criticized on TikTok. "I was one of the lucky ones who wasn't checked or questioned," she stated. She was only asked about her travel dates to the island.
Delgado decided to share her experience after seeing other videos of Cubans claiming to have been detained or flagged in the system upon returning from Cuba. She clarified that her intention was not to dismiss these accounts but to share her own: "Everyone has their story."
In the comments, several users expressed gratitude for her honesty and shared similar experiences. Many agreed that the treatment at airports can vary depending on the entry point, immigration status, or even the attending officer. "Not everyone has the same luck," one user remarked.
The Cuban woman also offered practical advice for those returning from Cuba with duty-free items. She recounted how a bottle of rum was confiscated at Miami airport because she didn't have the purchase receipt. Although she didn't mention it in the main video, she clarified in the comments that the officer was very polite and asked her to find the receipt in her bag. "I told him I wasn't given one," she explained. He even called a Spanish-speaking official to suggest that if traveling with someone else, another person could carry the bottle in checked luggage. Ultimately, her brother—on a separate flight—managed to bring it. "He wanted to ensure I didn’t lose the bottle," she shared.
The video, titled "My Trip to Cuba, My Experience," has resonated strongly with Cubans both on and off the island. For many, it illustrates the reality of returning for urgent reasons despite fears, uncertainties, or immigration status. "If you go to Cuba, try to stay relaxed, positive. And good luck, that's my wish for you," she concluded.
Understanding Cuban Travel Experiences
Why did the Cuban woman's trip to Havana stand out?
Her trip stood out because she encountered no problems with U.S. immigration, unlike other Cubans who reported issues upon returning from Cuba.
What advice did the woman give for travelers returning with duty-free items?
She advised ensuring you have a purchase receipt for duty-free items, as failure to present one might lead to confiscation, as happened with her bottle of rum.
How did the woman's narrative impact other Cubans?
Her story resonated with many Cubans, highlighting the varied experiences of returning travelers and offering a sense of shared reality despite differing circumstances.