A Cuban expatriate made his way back to the island after a four-year separation, capturing the emotional reunion with his son in a video shared on TikTok on July 3. The video was captioned "My return to Cuba after 4 years."
The heartwarming scene unfolded in the arrivals area of a Cuban airport, where the father was seen pushing a cart laden with suitcases wrapped in plastic—a common practice for those returning to the island from abroad.
The child's reaction upon seeing his father was immediate and heartfelt, exclaiming, "No way!" This spontaneous outburst was highlighted by the video creator in text overlaid on the clip: "That's what my baby said when he saw me after 4 long years back in Cuba."
As the video concludes, someone asks, "What size was the package?"—a nod to a popular tactic among Cuban emigrants of pretending to send a package to surprise their families with their return.
The clip garnered over 24,000 views, more than 1,100 likes, and 85 comments within days, resonating with thousands of Cubans facing similar circumstances.
The Viral Trend of Cuban Homecomings
This reunion is part of a viral trend on TikTok during 2025 and 2026, where the Cuban diaspora shares their emotional returns to the island after prolonged separations. On June 25, Rose surprised her son in Cuba after eight years, and on June 1, Pedro Solano returned after two decades, almost causing his mother to faint from excitement.
In December 2025, one Cuban father was taken to the airport under the pretense of picking up a package, only to dissolve into tears upon realizing his son had arrived instead.
The Broader Context of Cuban Migration
These videos take place against the backdrop of Cuba's most severe migration crisis in decades. Between 2021 and 2025, over a million Cubans left the island, often leaving behind families who may not reunite for years due to economic, migratory, or political barriers.
The difficulty of returning home transforms each reunion into an extraordinary event, and TikTok has emerged as the platform where this shared emotional experience is expressed, serving as a collective catharsis for a nation in diaspora.
Amidst tears and embraces at the video's end, the father can only manage to say, "Thank you, my love, thank you."
Understanding the Cuban Migration Crisis
What has caused the recent migration crisis in Cuba?
The recent migration crisis in Cuba is primarily driven by economic hardships, political instability, and limited opportunities on the island, prompting many Cubans to seek better lives abroad.
How has TikTok influenced Cuban family reunions?
TikTok has played a significant role in documenting and sharing the emotional reunions of Cuban families, creating a viral trend that highlights the personal impact of long separations and the joy of reuniting.
Why do Cuban expatriates wrap their suitcases in plastic?
Cuban expatriates often wrap their suitcases in plastic as a protective measure against damage and to prevent tampering during travel back to the island.