A 39-year-old Cuban father made the heart-wrenching decision to forgo emigrating to the United States because it would have meant leaving his six-year-old daughter behind.
Octavio López Ramírez, affectionately known as Tavito, turned down the parole opportunity granted to his partner, which would have allowed them both to leave Cuba. He summed up his decision succinctly: "They gave my wife the parole for us to go, and I said: without Cuqui, I won't do it. After all, I always find a way here."
This story was featured in an article by the official Sancti Spíritus newspaper, Escambray, which highlighted Tavito's life in La Cueva de la Virgen. This area, located near the Zaza hotel in Sancti Spíritus, is plagued by extreme poverty, lacking potable water, and characterized by homes with zinc roofs and dirt floors.
The Sacrifices of a Committed Father
Tavito has been the sole caregiver of Dainalis Rosalba, whom he fondly calls Cuqui, since she was just 11 months old, following his divorce from her biological mother who offered no support. "If I stepped back, it would be like handing her over to the orphanage. Imagine, when I was left alone, I got no help from her biological mother; what would happen if I gave up?" he explained.
A Tough Decision in Dire Circumstances
His current partner, Dayana, does not have children of her own but has become a central figure in their household, with Cuqui calling her mom. Dayana was the one approved for the parole, a temporary U.S. immigration mechanism that would have allowed them to enter the country while applying for residency.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security canceled the program on December 15, 2025, with all benefits expiring on January 14, 2026, rendering Tavito's declined opportunity obsolete.
Challenges and Perseverance in a Struggling Community
Tavito's decision starkly contrasts a growing trend—since 2021, over a million Cubans have left the island, often leaving fragmented families behind. Sancti Spíritus has been particularly hard-hit, losing 8,689 residents in 2024 due to emigration, low birth rates, and an aging population, with nearly half of its working-age residents unemployed.
Against this backdrop of hardship, Tavito painstakingly built his home piece by piece, taking on various jobs—"I cut a post, make charcoal, take down a tree, clean a well"—and bikes over two kilometers to the Remigio Díaz Quintanilla school, where Cuqui has learned to read and add this year.
Cuqui has endured two life-threatening seizure episodes. During their toughest times, supportive groups on social media facilitated donations, bringing clothing, a television, a rice cooker, a pot, and a blender to their home.
"I am very grateful. The girl has clothes she might not even wear," Tavito expressed.
When asked why her father sometimes can't play with her, Cuqui confidently replied, "When dad can't play with me, it's because he's working."
Having once been separated from Dayana for eight months and returning home "with nothing," Tavito remains steadfast in his resolve. "The only formula is to love and have the will to do. If you don't have the strength and determination, you achieve nothing. I've never lacked them for her; as I said, she's my everything," he added.
Understanding Tavito's Sacrifice and Its Implications
Why did Tavito refuse the parole to the United States?
Tavito declined the parole because it would have required him to leave his daughter, Cuqui, behind in Cuba, a separation he was unwilling to endure.
What challenges does Tavito face in Sancti Spíritus?
Tavito lives in an area of extreme poverty with inadequate infrastructure, requiring him to work various jobs to provide for his daughter, while also dealing with her health issues.
How has the cancellation of the U.S. parole program affected Tavito's decision?
With the U.S. parole program ending, the opportunity for Tavito to emigrate with his partner became non-existent, solidifying his decision to stay with his daughter.