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Cuban Influencer Returns Home: "I Can't Handle Living Away from Cuba"

Saturday, January 31, 2026 by Claire Jimenez

Cuban content creator Maydalina Valdés Fernández, widely recognized on social media as @maydalina_valentina, has revealed her return to Cuba in an emotional Instagram video. In her heartfelt message, she confessed that the main reasons driving her decision were loneliness and being far from her family.

"I'm going back to Cuba. Well, by the time you're watching this video, I should already be there," the influencer stated at the beginning of her message. She acknowledged that making this choice "wasn't easy; it was a mix between right and wrong."

Maydalina shared her struggle to adapt to life outside her homeland, noting that the distance from her family took a toll on her emotional well-being.

"I don't know if I gave up too quickly; all I know is that I want to wake up every day and shout to my neighbor: 'Did you make coffee?', or run into my mom's arms if I'm having a bad day," she expressed. "The loneliness was consuming me," she added.

Reflections on Sacrifice and Family

In her testimony, Maydalina reflected on the sacrifices many make when emigrating.

"Many people spend years away from their family to provide them with a better future, and I kept asking myself: why can't I do that?" However, she admitted her happiness is in Cuba and doesn't want her daughter "to keep growing up away from my mom and family."

"Time doesn't come back, and if there's something money can't buy, it's time. All that time lost being away from family, it won't return," she affirmed.

"When you leave, you leave some people behind, and when you return, most are no longer there. I don't want that to happen to me."

Choosing Family Over Material Comforts

The influencer also recognized that while she had access to material comforts in other countries, the lack of emotional ties weighed more heavily on her.

"What's the point of being in a place where I can buy whatever I want if I'm going to eat alone?" she pondered. "If I'm going to endure a blackout, I'd rather do it under a mango tree with my family," she joked.

Ultimately, she expressed feeling at peace with her decision: "Since I knew I was going back, I've felt happy."

Hours after sharing her video, Maydalina confirmed her arrival in Cuba with another Instagram post, where she appeared smiling and surrounded by family.

Maydalina's Return to Cuba: Key Insights

Why did Maydalina Valdés Fernández decide to return to Cuba?

She decided to return because she struggled with loneliness and being away from her family, which affected her emotional well-being.

What did Maydalina miss most about Cuba?

She missed the simple interactions with her neighbors and the ability to be close to her mother and family.

How did Maydalina feel about her decision to return to Cuba?

Maydalina expressed feeling at peace and happy with her decision to return to Cuba.

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