A Cuban man who had been living abroad for four years was at the heart of a touching reunion with his family at a Cuban airport, captured in a video shared on TikTok last Monday by the user @maimoag.
The footage shows the moment he steps into the arrival area, and his mother rushes towards him. They embrace tightly, tears streaming down their faces, as family and friends nearby express their joy with exclamations like, “Oh, how wonderful! Oh, what beauty! Oh, my God!”
Towards the end of the one-minute and 39-second video, the only audible words during their hug are “my love, my love, my love.”
The man described the moment in the video’s caption: “Four years passed without my mother’s embrace, without the affection of my friends (those who are still around here)… Four years without stepping on this soil, this beautiful and enduring land that I love so much. I am incredibly happy. Welcome me, back home.”
The video garnered 13,700 views and 685 reactions within days, adding to a viral trend on TikTok during 2025 and 2026, where Cuban emigrants document their returns to the island and reunions with family members after years of separation.
Frequent Scenes of Reunion
Such reunions are frequently shared on Cuban social media. On July 31, a young man reunited with his mother after being away for three years. On July 28, Glenda’s brother welcomed her barefoot at the airport after three years apart, in a video that surpassed 27,700 views. Earlier in July, another Cuban reunited with his son after four years, in a video that exceeded 24,000 views.
Behind each of these reunions is a stark reality: the massive exodus that has fragmented thousands of Cuban families.
In June, another Cuban returned to the island after 20 years, finally able to hug his mother for the first time in two decades, marking one of the most impactful reunions recorded on social media this year.
Understanding the Cuban Exodus and Emotional Reunions
Why are these reunions so emotional?
These reunions are emotional because they often occur after years of separation due to the mass exodus from Cuba, which divides families for long periods.
What is causing the exodus from Cuba?
The exodus is largely driven by economic hardship and political conditions in Cuba, prompting many to seek better opportunities abroad.
How are these reunions shared with the world?
Many of these reunions are documented and shared on social media platforms like TikTok, allowing a global audience to witness the emotional moments.
What impact do these videos have?
These videos often go viral, highlighting the personal impact of political and economic issues in Cuba, and drawing attention to the stories of separated families.