A Cuban woman who has lived in Spain for nine years captured in a brief video what countless emigrants feel but rarely express so clearly: it's not the dictatorship she misses, it's Cuba itself. Lesyanis Portilla, known on TikTok as "Historias de una cubana," shared a video on Monday where she outlines the three aspects of the island she does not long for after nearly a decade in Spain.
The first absence she rejoices in is a basic daily relief: "I don't miss waking up wondering if there will be electricity, water, or something to eat." This statement captures the daily anxiety of those still in Cuba, where 33.9% of households have recently reported hunger and blackouts can last over 30 consecutive hours.
The second aspect she doesn't miss is fear. In Spain, she notes, she can criticize the president, her neighbor, or anyone else, "because there's freedom of expression, without the fear of a knock on the door at 3 AM with someone wanting to arrest me." This fear is not unfounded: over 1,400 individuals remain imprisoned in Cuba for political reasons, according to human rights organizations.
Longing for Cuban Community
One more thing she doesn't pine for is the endless lines. "I don't miss spending 4 hours of my life to buy a single chicken or rushing because the bread will run out in 10 minutes," she explains. The contrast with her current life is summed up in one sentence: "Here, I go to the supermarket, buy what I need, and that’s it."
This type of account resonates with a growing trend among Cubans in Spain who share their experiences online about the stark differences between life on the island and abroad. As of early 2026, approximately 287,490 people born in Cuba were residing in Spain, with at least 35,200 new registrations in municipal records during 2025 alone.
Nostalgia for a Lost Home
However, Portilla's video is not just a list of hardships. It also reflects a deep sense of nostalgia: "I do miss the embrace of my people, having coffee at the door with my neighbor, gossiping in the neighborhood, being with my folks." The paradox she articulates—and which echoes across much of the Cuban diaspora—is that the longing is not for the political system or material conditions, but for the human connections left behind.
She encapsulates this sentiment at the end of the video with a phrase that has started circulating among her followers: "I don't miss the dictatorship. I miss Cuba."
The video, posted on Monday, has garnered nearly 3,000 views and concludes with a direct question to other emigrants: "And you, Cuban living outside the Island, who I know would return if our dictatorship ever fell. Tell me, what don't you miss about Cuba?" Judging by the comments, many are eager to share their thoughts.
Insights on Cuban Emigration
What are the main challenges Cubans face on the island?
Cubans on the island often face challenges like food scarcity, frequent power outages, and a lack of freedom of expression.
Why do some Cubans choose to emigrate to Spain?
Many Cubans emigrate to Spain seeking better living conditions, more freedom, and opportunities that are not available under the current regime in Cuba.
What do Cubans miss the most about their homeland?
Cubans often miss their family, community interactions, and cultural connections, rather than the political system or material conditions.