Last Saturday, Cuban actor Humberto Miranda shared a video on Instagram, filmed aboard a boat in Miami, where he answers his daughter's question: why do Cubans have such an affinity for boats?
Many Cubans remember Miranda from his childhood role as the baseball player Yosvany in the iconic Cuban TV series "Los pequeños campeones," produced by ICRT in the late 80s and rebroadcast in the 90s. Now residing in Miami, Miranda works as an audiovisual producer.
In the 54-second clip, his daughter appears slightly embarrassed as her father announces he will post the video on social media. However, Miranda is determined to provide an important lesson in response to her question.
"In Cuba, we were prohibited from getting on a boat. We couldn't get on a boat because those who did would head to 'la yuma,' head north, do you understand?" he explains.
The everyday moment transforms into a reflection on freedom: "That’s freedom. It might look like economic freedom, it might seem trivial what I'm telling you."
The video’s central message is a warning Miranda gives directly to his daughter: "Never let anyone, and I mean anyone, tell you that you can't buy a boat. That's why we're in a free country, that's why I brought you to a free country."
Humorously, the actor acknowledges that his daughter thinks he's "rambling," but he stands by the importance of his message: "It's crucial to teach the kids where we're living."
Miranda's mention of a prohibition has real roots. Although there's no explicit parliamentary law in Cuba, the Naval Captaincy enforces an administrative restriction that prevents citizens from sailing recreational boats. The only exception is for Cubans married to foreigners, requiring a bureaucratic process involving a spouse's letter, marriage certificate, and approval from a commission led by a colonel, allowing navigation only in internal waters.
This restriction is historically linked to the state's control over irregular sea emigration, a phenomenon that has marked Cuba since the Mariel Boatlift in 1980, through the 1994 rafter crisis, and up to the more recent migration waves.
Miranda, who also appeared in the 2024 PRONYR TV series "La influencer," keeps an active presence on social media, sharing thoughts on life in exile and Cuban culture.
The video struck a chord with the Cuban community abroad, and Miranda’s explanation to his daughter became a powerful testament to what it means for many Cuban immigrants to enjoy something as simple as going out for a sail.
Understanding the Cuban Connection to Boats
Why are boats significant to Cubans?
Boats symbolize freedom for many Cubans, representing the escape from restrictions in Cuba and the pursuit of a free life elsewhere.
What are the restrictions on boat ownership in Cuba?
In Cuba, citizens face administrative restrictions preventing them from owning or navigating recreational boats, with limited exceptions for those married to foreigners.
How did Humberto Miranda's message resonate with the Cuban community?
Miranda's message resonated deeply as it highlighted the contrast between restrictions in Cuba and the freedoms enjoyed abroad, striking an emotional chord with many Cuban immigrants.