Cuban content creator Dairon Cano recently traveled from Miami to Havana to welcome the New Year with his family. He shared a video on social media that quickly gained viral traction.
The footage reveals a plane packed with passengers headed to Cuba, many of whom are laden with luggage and a sense of nostalgia. Cano engaged in conversations with several travelers who defended their right to celebrate the holidays with loved ones, disregarding both the migration restrictions imposed by the Trump administration and the island's ongoing crisis marked by blackouts and shortages.
The video sparked a heated debate among the Cuban exile community. While some cherished the family reunions, others criticized the frequent trips to Cuba, reminding that many had cited political persecution as the reason for their emigration.
One of the most striking comments became almost a slogan: "Don't forget the steak sandwiches," referencing a phrase popularized by influencer Alexander Otaola. This term describes those émigrés who enjoy the freedoms of the United States yet maintain a lenient stance towards the Cuban regime.
According to Otaola, the so-called "steak sandwich Cubans" are those who seek a peaceful life in the U.S. without taking a stand against the dictatorship, allowing them to return repeatedly to showcase their success while the Cuban populace remains in poverty.
Beyond the mockery, this label underscores a division within the exile community, highlighting the tension between those actively opposing the regime and those opting for silence or neutrality to occasionally embrace their families.
Cano's flight has come to symbolize the dual nature defining much of the Cuban diaspora. It is the everyday story of an emigrant thriving in Miami yet still dreaming of his neighborhood corner in Havana and the kisses of loved ones, all while knowing that in Cuba, even a simple steak sandwich may be hard to come by.
Cuban Exile Community Debate
What sparked the debate among the Cuban exile community?
The debate was sparked by a video shared by Dairon Cano showing Cubans traveling to Havana for New Year's, which highlighted differing views on frequent travel to Cuba and political stances.
Who are referred to as "steak sandwich Cubans"?
"Steak sandwich Cubans" is a term used to describe those who enjoy the liberties of the United States but maintain a lenient attitude towards the Cuban regime, as popularized by influencer Alexander Otaola.
What does Dairon Cano's flight symbolize?
Cano's flight symbolizes the dual identity within the Cuban diaspora, representing those who thrive abroad yet continue to cherish their roots and connections back home.