A young Cuban woman sparked a heated debate on TikTok after posting a video responding to a user's claim that "Cuba has nothing" and that this is why the United States is uninterested in the island.
Her passionate response, filled with national pride and frustration over Cuba's current situation, has captured the attention of thousands both on and off the island.
"To say that Cuba has nothing is the greatest inaccuracy in history," the young woman began in her video, shared by the account @elixir_karen1994_2.
"Cuba is the largest island country in the Caribbean, situated between the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean; it is 150 kilometers from Florida and holds a strategic position for maritime trade between Europe, North America, and Central America."
In her message, the Cuban woman emphasized the nation's natural and productive wealth: "Historically, we have been one of the largest producers of sugarcane, we produce Arabica coffee, tobacco, tropical fruits, honey, rum, and cigars. We also have biotechnology and healthcare: Cuba was able to develop its own vaccines and medicines."
She concluded her message with a hopeful and defiant tone: "Cuba will rise from the ashes like a phoenix, and we will return to what we were before '59. If we're helped to free ourselves, Cuba will take over the world."
The video went viral shortly after the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, ordered by President Donald Trump in early January, which resulted in the detention of Nicolás Maduro.
Many social media users compared the situation to that of Cuba and expressed their wish for a similar operation on the island to end the regime that has lasted over six decades.
"The problem isn't that Cuba has nothing, but that it's not allowed to be what it can be," commented one user in support of the video. Others, however, pointed out that the country's natural resources are in the hands of the military regime and companies controlled by GAESA, the economic conglomerate run by the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
Amid the economic crisis and mass emigration, the young woman's words resonate with thousands of Cubans who, despite the hardships, continue to believe in the nation's potential if it can break free from its current political control.
Understanding Cuba's Potential and Challenges
What natural resources does Cuba have?
Cuba is rich in natural resources, including sugarcane, Arabica coffee, tobacco, tropical fruits, honey, rum, and cigars. It also has a strong biotechnology and healthcare sector.
Why is Cuba's potential often not realized?
Cuba's potential is often stifled due to the control of its natural resources by the military regime and companies managed by GAESA, as well as the political and economic constraints imposed by the government.
What was the impact of the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela?
The U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, ordered by President Donald Trump, led to the detention of Nicolás Maduro and sparked discussions about similar actions in Cuba to end its long-standing regime.