Cuban Woman Sparks TikTok Frenzy with Her Take on Life in Spain

A Cuban woman residing in Spain, known on TikTok as @lesyanisportilla, has stirred a significant debate with a video critique of various aspects of life in the European nation. Her message, which begins with a sardonic "Welcome to Spain," touches on issues such as bureaucracy, corruption, high taxes, and economic struggles.

"Welcome to Spain, a country where you get fined for smoking on the street but if someone occupies your house, nothing happens," she remarks in her video. She further elaborates on social inequality and the sluggishness of the judicial system: "A speeding ticket arrives in two days, but a corruption trial takes years. It's a place where freelancers pay taxes even without income, while politicians receive salaries without working."

In another part of her video, she quips, "Speed cameras work better than healthcare. Welcome to Spain, where justice is blind, deaf, and mute. A country where politicians raise their salaries, but healthcare workers are still waiting for promised increases."

Her statements have sparked hundreds of comments and reactions. Some users support her views, calling them a realistic portrayal, while others criticize her for speaking negatively about Spain as an immigrant. Many defend her right to voice her opinion: "She's telling truths as clear as day," and "If she works and pays taxes, she has the same right to speak as anyone else." In contrast, some urge gratitude: "As a Cuban, I would never speak ill of a country that welcomed me with open arms."

Others interpret her words as a warning: "She comes from the future, alerting us to what's ahead," one user noted, while another stated, "She's warning us about what happened in Cuba so we don't repeat history."

This isn't the first time @lesyanisportilla has sparked debate with her reflections. In a previous video, she controversially claimed, "Spain is Cuba, my brother, open your eyes, this is becoming Cuba." This statement divided opinions as she compared the Spanish and Cuban realities, citing skyrocketing rent prices and an overwhelmed public healthcare system.

Her testimony isn't isolated. In recent months, several Cuban creators in Spain have shared similar experiences, some critical and others more optimistic, each reflecting different perspectives on migration and life in Spain.

For instance, @tiempo_con_oli shared her challenges in finding housing, pointing to high demand, elevated prices, and landlords' fears of squatters as major obstacles to renting.

Meanwhile, @elixir_karen1994 issued a caution to those considering moving from the United States to Spain, stating that the Spanish system is "designed so you never win, never grow, never have more than them, and live in communism."

Conversely, @marylu7879, based in Palencia, emphasized that success depends on personal attitude and advocated for "fewer complaints and more open eyes" to seize the opportunities the country offers.

@irene.morell.gonz shared her amazement at the differences between the two countries, highlighting Spain's potable water, well-stocked supermarkets, and punctual public transport—luxuries unimaginable in Cuba.

Additionally, @wendhyta_ph debunked myths about life in Spain, clarifying that it's possible to live on minimum wage and that Spaniards "don't smell bad," contrary to what she had heard before emigrating.

These posts reveal a stark contrast between Cubans who emphasize the challenges of the Spanish system and those who highlight the opportunities. Across the board, the videos reflect a common reality: the complexity of emigrating and building a life far from Cuba amidst an increasingly challenging political and economic landscape.