Over the weekend, Dany Olazabal, popularly known as "El Yoyo" on TikTok, shared an emotional video expressing his unwavering belief that Cuba will gain freedom in 2026. He admits he can't predict his own reaction when that day finally arrives.
In the one-minute ten-second clip, Olazabal begins, "You know that Cuba will be free this year, right? I want you to keep that in your mind and be one hundred percent with me on this."
The creator opens up about a whirlwind of emotions he struggles to categorize: "The problem is, I don't know how I'll react. Will I jump, cry, scream, run out into the street, or wave a Cuban flag?"
Such uncertainty stems from years of pent-up pain. "We've been waiting for so long for this to end, for the regime to be gone, for them to be removed because those people are murderers," he states bluntly.
Olazabal continues, balancing anguish with anticipated joy: "It's like a weight on my chest, so much pain from everything we've gone through. But how beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful," he adds.
The video concludes with a festive vow and a timeline: "We have to celebrate. We have to live it like never before. This year, twenty-six, Cuba free."
Olazabal's clip joins a wave of viral videos from the Cuban diaspora, who since January 2026, express their hopes for imminent change on the island with tears, flags, and plans to return.
This optimism is fueled by an unprecedented political context. On May 1, the Trump administration signed a new executive order expanding sanctions against Cuba, targeting individuals and entities associated with corruption or human rights abuses.
In an interview with NBC, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned, "We don't want a failed state 90 miles from our shores."
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar declared last Thursday that "we are closer than ever" to a free Cuba and supported Washington's strategy of maximum pressure.
Meanwhile, Cuba is grappling with its worst energy crisis in decades. In May, the Cuban Energy Minister admitted, "We have absolutely no fuel." According to El País reports, Havana suffered power outages lasting up to 22 hours a day, with the country receiving just one of the eight monthly oil shipments needed to sustain its electrical system.
The mix of hope and uncertainty Olazabal conveys is not unique to him. Sociologist Guillermo Grenier summed up the Cuban-American community's mood about the possibility of change with a phrase capturing the collective sentiment: "Wildly optimistic and wildly fearful at the same time."
Understanding Cuba's Path to Freedom
What is the significance of the video by Dany Olazabal?
Dany Olazabal's video is significant because it captures the emotional anticipation and hope for Cuba's liberation, resonating with many in the Cuban diaspora who share similar sentiments.
How are recent political actions influencing Cuban optimism?
The optimism is partly driven by the Trump administration's new sanctions against Cuba, aimed at those involved in corruption or human rights abuses, which many hope will pressure the regime towards change.
What are the current challenges facing Cuba?
Cuba is currently facing a severe energy crisis, with extensive power outages and a lack of fuel, exacerbating the country's existing economic difficulties.