Seidy La Niña returned to Miami this past Thursday after spending over a week in Cuba, marking her first trip to the island in seven years. At the airport, she shared a heartfelt message about reuniting with her family, encapsulating her emotions with the phrase: "There's no feeling in the world like going back to where you were born and seeing your loved ones again."
The Miami-based singer spent time in Guanabacoa with her grandmother, uncles, and friends. Her visit was filled with mixed emotions; upon arrival, she admitted to feeling heartache because her grandfather, who used to greet her at the door, had passed away.
"Seven and a half years without going to Cuba, without setting foot on my homeland, without seeing my family," Seidy remarked in a reel recorded at Miami airport, visibly moved.
Despite acknowledging the island's difficult circumstances, Seidy found the experience deeply rewarding: "Being with my family, spending time with my people, bringing a bit of joy to them, feeling that genuine, sincere warmth—it fills me up, recharges me, and brings me happiness."
Just before leaving, she posted an emotional farewell to her grandmother, uncles, and friends on Instagram, expressing: "It's impossible not to feel a bit sad because time passes and is unforgiving. I carry the love of my family in my heart," while making it clear it wasn't a final goodbye: "This isn't farewell, it's see you soon. Because very soon I WILL RETURN."
She reinforced this promise emphatically upon her return to Miami: "As long as I have life, as long as my family is there, I will go back. And I'm not planning to argue about it with anyone."
Her visit was not without controversy. During her stay, Seidy highlighted the Cuban peso's devaluation by displaying a wad of 70,000 pesos—worth roughly $105 at the informal exchange rate—and sarcastically remarked, "With this, you can buy a ton of things. You're a millionaire!"
The music video she filmed in a Havana neighborhood, surrounded by locals, also sparked mixed reactions. Some social media users criticized it as "bread and circuses," accusing her of downplaying the harsh reality of blackouts, shortages, and repression faced by Cubans.
One of the most touching moments of her visit was in Guanabacoa, where she had to step out of her car as neighbors recognized her and came over to greet her.
"Despite the tough situation, I feel happy and rejuvenated from returning to my homeland," the singer wrote in summary of her Cuban journey.
Seidy La Niña's Emotional Return to Cuba
Why did Seidy La Niña visit Cuba after so many years?
Seidy La Niña visited Cuba to reunite with her family after seven and a half years, reconnecting with her roots and loved ones in Guanabacoa.
How did Seidy express her feelings about the visit?
Despite the challenges in Cuba, Seidy described her visit as fulfilling, emphasizing the warmth and genuine joy of spending time with her family.
What controversies arose during Seidy's visit?
Seidy's remarks on the Cuban peso's devaluation and her music video recorded in Havana sparked debate, with some accusing her of downplaying Cuba's struggles.