A Cuban doctor, known as Dr. Jepeto on TikTok, who works in the emergency department in Spain, shared an intriguing story on Monday through a video on the platform. He found himself unexpectedly defending his adopted country when a Spanish patient, who had lived in Switzerland for around 40 years, criticized the conditions of Spanish streets compared to those in Switzerland.
During a night shift in the emergency room, Dr. Jepeto encountered a Spanish woman who came in for treatment due to a fractured finger and a knee injury sustained from a fall in a restaurant located in Benicasim, a coastal town in Castellón famous for its cobblestone streets.
The patient expressed her dissatisfaction by saying, "This is my second visit to Spain, and it's also the second time I've fallen and broken something." She added that in Switzerland, she never experienced such incidents in four decades, concluding that Spain was "full of potholes" and uneven streets.
Dr. Jepeto tried to maintain his composure, explaining that the country has towns with charming cobbled streets and a rich historical character. He mentioned, "Spain is full of towns and cities that are well-paved, but some have cobblestone streets... and that's what makes them beautiful."
Internally, however, his irritation grew. "I almost told her, 'Look, ma'am, if you don't want to come to Spain, then perhaps you shouldn't, because you might fall and break a bone,'" he admitted in the video.
After completing the consultation, which included an X-ray, instructions, and discharge paperwork, the patient mentioned she would return to Switzerland in three days. This prompted the doctor to reflect on his feelings: "I felt, damn, I felt identified as Spanish in this case, more Spanish than anything else because I came to Spain's defense."
The Cuban doctor didn't hide his frustration over the comparison. "I'm Cuban... and I felt hurt because you're Spanish and you live in Switzerland. It's great that Switzerland, Germany, Iceland, Japan, and the heavenly copón are spectacular, but don't come and tell me that Spain is full of potholes."
He then offered a comparison that resonates with many Cuban emigrants: "If Spain is full of potholes, what about Cuba? What is a pothole?" This statement captures a sentiment that other Cubans in Spain have shared on social media: the extreme deterioration of streets and services in Cuba serves as a benchmark to put any complaints about their host country into perspective.
The doctor concluded his video with a statement of belonging: "Even though I'm Cuban and not Spanish, I live here and chose this country. I won't have a Spaniard living elsewhere badmouthing it."
Dr. Jepeto's story is part of a growing trend among Cuban doctors working in the Spanish healthcare system who share their integration experiences on social media. Spain hosts over 180,000 legal Cuban residents, according to the National Institute of Statistics as of late 2025, making it the leading European destination for Cuban emigrants.
"If you go to Cuba, you'd end up with injuries from head to toe," the doctor concluded, humorously summarizing the stark contrast between the Cuba he left behind and the Spain he has chosen as his home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Doctors in Spain
Why did Dr. Jepeto defend Spain so passionately?
Dr. Jepeto felt a strong sense of belonging to Spain, his country of adoption, and was compelled to defend it against unfair comparisons made by a patient who criticized its infrastructure.
How many Cubans reside legally in Spain?
According to the National Institute of Statistics, there are over 180,000 legal Cuban residents in Spain as of late 2025.
What was the patient's complaint about Spanish streets?
The patient criticized Spanish streets for being "full of potholes" and uneven, comparing them unfavorably to those in Switzerland.