A TikTok video shared on March 4 by the account @historiamerica portrays an AI-generated vision of Havana's Malecón in a liberated Cuba: vibrant, modernized, and bustling with life, set to the tune of "Nuestro Día (Ya Viene Llegando)," a classic anthem of Cuban exiles written by Willy Chirino in 1991.
This video is part of a growing trend in 2025 and 2026 where Cubans in the diaspora employ artificial intelligence to creatively reimagine the island's future, sparking millions of emotional responses on social media. In January 2026, an AI video moved viewers to tears by showing a dilapidated building transformed into a vibrant architectural gem, amassing thousands of views. Earlier, in September 2025, the "Cuba of Tomorrow" video stirred both excitement and division among Cubans, balancing dreams of modernization against fears of losing the island's historical identity.
Another AI video released in October of the same year posed the poignant question, "How many would return if this happened?" resonating deeply with millions of exiles.
The Stark Reality of Today's Malecón
The disparity between these hopeful visions and the current state of the Malecón is stark. In February 2026, a powerful storm surge with waves over four meters high led to severe flooding along the iconic eight-kilometer avenue, necessitating the evacuation of elderly individuals and those with limited mobility. The structural decay and lack of institutional care further depict a symbol of Havana in significant decline.
A video filmed by a Spanish tourist on February 13 showed the avenue nearly deserted due to a fuel crisis, sparking around 79,000 discussions on social media.
Political Undertones and Historical Resonance
The political context adds depth to these visualizations. In February 2026, activists from the group Cuba Primero, led by Armando Labrador, plastered the Malecón with freedom slogans that quickly went viral. "The people are on the streets. Cuba Primero is committed to Freedom and ending oppressive tyranny," Labrador emphatically stated at the time.
The choice of Chirino's song for the video's soundtrack is significant. Composed in 1991 following the fall of the Berlin Wall, "Nuestro Día (Ya Viene Llegando)" embodies the hope for Cuba's liberation. Chirino, originally from Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río, came to the United States at 14 through Operation Peter Pan in 1960. The song has been a fixture in protests, tributes, and historic moments for the exile community for over thirty years and remains banned in Cuba's official media.
In 2021, Chirino publicly expressed his emotion upon hearing it played on a Havana bus. When Fidel Castro passed away in 2016, Chirino's response was succinct yet powerful: "Our day is coming."
The original manuscript of the song, bearing Chirino's handwritten edits — including the change from "islita" to "la Antilla" — has been on display at the History Miami Museum since 2023, serving as a tangible testament to decades of anticipation that these AI videos momentarily bring to life.
The song's lyrics, "The day is coming, everyone is waiting, for we are a people singing, I want to see my flag fly, Cuba awaits us," continue to resonate as an enduring promise for millions of Cubans on and off the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Future of Havana's Malecón
What is the significance of Willy Chirino's song in the Cuban exile community?
Willy Chirino's song "Nuestro Día (Ya Viene Llegando)" is a symbol of hope and longing for freedom among the Cuban exile community. Written in 1991, it has been a staple in protests and moments of historical significance for over three decades, even as it remains banned in Cuba's official media.
How are Cubans using artificial intelligence to reimagine their country's future?
Cubans in the diaspora are leveraging artificial intelligence to create visualizations of a transformed island, depicting a modern and prosperous Cuba. These AI-generated videos have sparked widespread emotional reactions on social media, offering a glimpse of what a free Cuba could look like.