After living abroad for nearly four years, a Cuban expatriate took to TikTok to address a common narrative circulating on social media: that when emigrants return to Cuba, they are overwhelmed by unpleasant odors and quickly wish to return to their country of residence.
Identified as @mihogaractivo, the content creator firmly disagrees with this portrayal. "I went to Cuba, and I didn’t have that experience," she states in her video. "When I visited, it felt as if I had never left."
Her daughters accompanied her on the trip, and they didn't express any complaints either. Instead, she vividly describes the warmth she felt upon reuniting with her loved ones: "What I experienced was the warmth of my friends. The warmth of my family."
She provides a personal context to her account, describing her family as modest and small, devoid of wealth but blessed in another sense: "They are millionaires because they have health right now."
Upon her arrival, her mother was suffering from chikungunya, a virus she refers to as "chiquingulla." Despite close contact, she did not contract the illness. Chikungunya, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, severely impacted Cuba between July 2025 and early 2026, with over 163,000 cases reported by the Pan American Health Organization and at least 46 confirmed deaths.
The most touching moment she recounts has nothing to do with material conditions but rather an embrace. "Imagine, I was able to give a hug that should have been more eternal to my aunt, who raised my mom. She was like my grandmother, always there for me," she recalls. Her aunt passed away the day before Mother's Day. Being able to say goodbye during that visit remains her most cherished memory of the trip.
She also defends her decision to work abroad to support her family in Cuba, addressing critics directly. "It's undeniable that one must return because if we don't work here, how can we support our loved ones there? Let those who want to criticize do so," she asserts.
Her story is not unique. Since 2021, over a million Cubans have emigrated, leaving behind families that endure separations ranging from two to four years. TikTok has become a platform where the diaspora processes this collective pain, with videos of reunions garnering hundreds of thousands of views.
The discussion sparked by her video is not new. Other expatriates have reported contrasting experiences upon returning: the shock of deteriorating sanitation, accumulated trash, sewage issues, and poor living conditions. A Cuban woman in the United States warned in June 2025 that those with a conscience should avoid visiting Cuba, pointing to the healthcare system's deficiencies and medicine shortages.
She concludes her video by inviting others who have had different experiences to share: "What am I supposed to feel? Stench or anything? I don't know. Let me know in the comments if you've also noticed it, if you've been to Cuba and sensed an odor."
Understanding the Cuban Diaspora's Experiences
What is the common narrative about emigrants returning to Cuba?
The narrative suggests that when emigrants return to Cuba, they are often overwhelmed by unpleasant odors and quickly wish to return to their country of residence.
How did @mihogaractivo describe her experience in Cuba?
@mihogaractivo described her experience as positive, emphasizing the warmth of family and friends rather than any unpleasant smells. She felt as if she had never left the island.
What personal hardships did she face upon returning to Cuba?
Upon her return, she dealt with her mother's illness from chikungunya, yet she did not become infected. She also experienced the emotional moment of saying goodbye to her aunt, who passed away shortly after her visit.