A Cuban woman living in Costa Rica recently shared a video on TikTok defending fellow Cubans who express a desire to return to the island. She strongly criticizes the derogatory comments often directed at those making such a choice.
Identified as @gabenittez, the creator posted the video after witnessing an overwhelming amount of content from compatriots announcing their return to Cuba, only to face insults and judgment in the comments.
"We shouldn't be judging people for wanting to go back. It doesn't mean they're cowards or unwilling to work," she stated emphatically.
The True Cost of Emigration
The main point of her argument is that emigrating involves sacrifices far beyond financial matters: "What are you sacrificing? You're giving up your family. Many are leaving behind their children, friends, way of life, and personal identity."
Speaking from personal experience, she acknowledges having "things in Costa Rica I never thought possible in Cuba," yet she doesn't hide the emotional cost of such material gains.
"I miss my parents and family every day. I'm literally alone here. I have a huge family, and they're all in Cuba, and it breaks my heart every single day," she confessed.
Facing the Fear of Separation
One of the video’s most poignant moments is when she addresses the fear all immigrants live with: "I could be here for five years without seeing my family and suddenly have no family left. God forbid, that's a fear we constantly live with."
She also dismisses the notion that those returning do so out of naivety or laziness. While some leave Cuba with unrealistic expectations, she stresses that many "have worked their entire lives, know how to work, and have put in countless hours to support their families, yet still struggle."
"You really need to be in an immigrant's shoes to understand what it is and how it feels," she emphasized.
A Broader Debate
The video is part of a broader discussion that has been unfolding on social media for months. Since January 2026, numerous Cubans have gone viral with announcements of their voluntary return to the island from various countries. One woman broke down in tears recounting how her brother returned to Cuba with his wife and children due to legal instability in the United States. In April, Yaniuska López declared her permanent return to Cuba after living in Angola, in another video that garnered thousands of reactions.
This phenomenon is occurring amid the largest exodus in Cuba's recent history. Between 2021 and 2024, approximately 1.79 million Cubans left the island, reducing the resident population to about 8.6 million, according to demographic estimates by Juan Carlos Albizu-Campos.
Costa Rica has historically been both a transit point and a settlement area for Cubans. In 2016, around 8,000 Cubans were stranded there due to Nicaragua's border closure. In recent years, many have rebuilt their lives in the Central American country, though testimonies consistently describe the process as challenging and marked by family separation.
"Only time will tell if it was truly worth it," @gabenittez concluded.
Understanding the Cuban Migration Phenomenon
Why are many Cubans choosing to return to Cuba?
Many Cubans are choosing to return due to the emotional and familial sacrifices involved in living abroad, as well as the challenges of legal instability and unmet expectations in foreign countries.
What challenges do Cuban immigrants face in countries like Costa Rica?
Cuban immigrants in Costa Rica face difficulties such as cultural adaptation, legal hurdles, and the emotional stress of family separation. The process of starting anew is often described as arduous and isolating.
How significant is the recent Cuban exodus?
The recent exodus is one of the largest in Cuba's history, with nearly 1.79 million people leaving the island between 2021 and 2024, significantly impacting the island's demographic landscape.