A Cuban living overseas, who goes by the name Bad Boy on TikTok, shared a 29-second video on Friday that quickly went viral. In the clip, he offers a sarcastic response to those in Cuba demanding phone top-ups, while highlighting the real challenges of life outside the island.
In his TikTok post, Bad Boy challenges the assumption that living in "the Yuma"—a Cuban slang term for the United States—equates to an easy and affluent lifestyle. "And so you want a top-up, huh? And then say that just because someone is in the Yuma, they've forgotten where they come from. Look, so you can stop saying life is easier for those who leave," he states in the video.
The recording garnered over 60,300 views, 1,449 likes, and 165 shares, underscoring how much this issue resonates within the Cuban diaspora.
The Growing Frustration Among Cuban Emigrants
Bad Boy's video taps into a trend that's been gaining momentum on TikTok: Cuban emigrants voicing their frustration over requests for money and phone top-ups, which they perceive as out of touch with the realities of working abroad.
In August 2025, Katy González Miranda went viral after she responded to a $20 birthday top-up demand with a statement that made waves on social media: "I'm cleaning bathrooms for $13 an hour. I'm not giving my money to anyone unless it's my mom, dad, or siblings."
In June, Cuban TikToker BellaMadi announced she had cut ties with people in Cuba because every conversation ended with demands for money or top-ups. On June 15th, another Cuban in the U.S. shared that a friend asked her for $5,000 to emigrate.
The Economic Crisis Fueling the Requests
The phenomenon has deep roots in structural issues. Cuba is enduring an unprecedented economic crisis: 89% of the population lives in extreme poverty, the average state salary is below $20 a month, and 33.9% of households face hunger.
Amid this collapse, remittances and top-ups sent by the diaspora have become a lifeline for millions of families. A staggering 92% of the remittances received in Cuba come from the United States, with Cuban-Americans in Miami sending an average of $2,165 annually through top-ups, cash, and transfers.
However, many emigrants complain that the requests have become demanding and relentless, with little understanding from those asking about the working conditions outside the island. In April 2025, a Cuban in Spain exploded at those asking for money without grasping the effort required to earn it: "Can you send me €100? without knowing the sacrifice one has to make here, not to earn €50, but to earn €5!"
The narrative that Bad Boy's video seeks to dismantle—that emigrants have "taken the easy way out" while those remaining in Cuba suffer—remains one of the most heated debates within the Cuban community on social media.
Understanding the Challenges Faced by Cuban Emigrants
Why do Cuban emigrants feel frustrated with money requests?
Many Cuban emigrants are frustrated because the requests for money and top-ups often ignore the hard work and sacrifices required to earn a living abroad. They feel the demands are out of touch with their reality.
How significant are remittances for Cuban families?
Remittances are crucial for many Cuban families, as they provide a much-needed source of income amidst the country's severe economic crisis. These funds often come from relatives living abroad, especially from the United States.