The Cuban content creator, Theö, recently shared a heartfelt video on Instagram, where he emotionally reflects on the painful reality of Cuba and his fervent hope for a future where his homeland is finally free.
In this six-minute clip, Theö opens up about how his thoughts of the island often overwhelm him with tears during his commute home. His words resonate deeply with many in the Cuban diaspora.
"There are nights when I'm on my way home... thinking about my country and its people. I wonder how Cubans will react when that government falls," shares the young man, who emigrated to the United States at the age of eight.
The Vision That Brings Tears
The image that moves him to tears is vivid: he envisions himself entering an airport overflowing with Cubans who are crying and embracing, with flags from every nation adorning the scene.
"I imagine myself at the airport, seeing a line of Cubans, everyone crying or hugging... and how we'll finally be free inside and out," he expresses.
The Emotional Toll of Longing
Theö acknowledges that this recurring anguish takes a significant emotional toll, echoing the feelings of many Cubans who experience similar waves of despair, nostalgia, and sorrow for the family they left behind.
"I feel like Cuba has me in a kind of depression. It hits me hard, and I go through it alone," he confesses.
Despite living a stable life in Miami with a job and security, Theö grapples with a sense of guilt he can't shake off.
The Burden of Guilt
"I'm here living normally. I have my job, pay my bills, live in Miami, everything's perfect. But people in Cuba are dying. They're human beings, and the world doesn't care," he laments.
One of the most powerful moments in the video is when he speaks about the political prisoners who have endured torture for four years, referencing those arrested after the July 11, 2021 protests.
"There are people in prisons who've been tortured for four years, and no one does anything," he says.
At least four protesters from 11J have died under the Cuban regime's custody, and an independent report has documented systematic torture against 181 prisoners of conscience from those protests.
The Paralysis of Contradiction
Theö also shares the internal conflict that paralyzes him: he wishes the youth in Cuba would rise up, but he knows he can't ask that of anyone.
"I want young people to take to the streets and bring an end to this, but at the same time, I can't send anyone out there," he admits.
The video, captioned with the questions "Are we doing enough? Can we do more?" resonates with a widespread feeling among the diaspora: the guilt of living comfortably abroad while others suffer at home.
The video's ending encapsulates the creator's emotional burden: "Imagine the elderly, my people. The elderly who are alone in Cuba, dying alone. What is this? How long will it continue?"
Exploring Cuban Exile's Emotional Struggles
Why does Theö feel guilty despite living comfortably in Miami?
Theö feels guilty because, while he enjoys stability and comfort, many people in Cuba are suffering and dying, and it seems to him that the world is indifferent to their plight.
What emotional impact does Cuba's situation have on Theö?
Cuba's situation causes Theö significant emotional distress, leading him to experience bouts of depression and deep sadness, particularly when thinking about his family and friends still on the island.
How does Theö envision a free Cuba?
Theö imagines a free Cuba as a place where Cubans reunite at airports, filled with emotion and joy, embracing each other with flags from all over the world, symbolizing inner and outer freedom.