Cuban chef and entrepreneur Elder Alonso, the owner of Locco Pizza in Madrid, recently shared a touching video capturing the moment he reunited with his father after being apart for six years. This heartfelt reunion quickly resonated with the Cuban community in Spain and went viral.
The video, posted on his Facebook account, is titled “My father is finally with us after 6 years apart due to distance” and garnered over 69,000 views within just a few hours.
The emotional reunion took place at Madrid’s airport, where Elder resides and operates his business.
His father was finally able to travel from Cuba to join his son and grandchildren, who eagerly awaited his arrival at the terminal.
The six-year separation was not accidental; it was a conscious decision that Elder Alonso publicly explained last April, highlighting the sacrifices made for the success of Locco Pizza.
“All the money I would have spent visiting Cuba, I invested in the Locco Pizza project,” the entrepreneur from Granma wrote.
In that same post, Elder candidly addressed the personal cost of his decision: “To achieve goals, you must make significant sacrifices, like not seeing your family for years.”
He also noted that this sacrifice was pivotal for his business: “Since I chose not to return to my birthplace, I began to see economic results.”
Located in the Carabanchel neighborhood of Madrid, Locco Pizza launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and has become a cornerstone of Cuban gastronomy in Spain, known for its roasted pork platters, sandwiches, and pizzas made with artisanal Cuban bread produced on-site.
The business hit a milestone in December 2024, selling out 200 Christmas pork platters in a single day at around 50 euros each, with a line of customers stretching over four blocks.
Elder's reunion with his father is part of a broader reality faced by countless Cuban families fractured by emigration.
Similar reunions have frequently appeared on social media in recent years, highlighting the emotional toll on a diaspora that by 2023 exceeded 220,000 Cuban residents in Spain, according to Hypermedia Magazine.
For Elder, this moment symbolically concludes a cycle of sacrifice, as he articulated: “I will never forget where I come from, but I must remain focused on the future.”
Insights into the Cuban Diaspora and Family Reunions
What prompted Elder Alonso to stay away from Cuba for six years?
Elder Alonso chose to focus on investing in his business, Locco Pizza, rather than spending money on trips to Cuba, which he saw as a necessary sacrifice to achieve his entrepreneurial goals.
How has Locco Pizza been successful in Spain?
Locco Pizza gained recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for its unique Cuban cuisine offerings, including roasted pork platters and artisanal Cuban bread, solidifying its place in the Spanish culinary scene.
What impact has the Cuban diaspora had in Spain?
The Cuban diaspora has significantly influenced Spanish culture, with over 220,000 Cubans residing in Spain as of 2023, many of whom share stories of emotional reunions due to extended separations.