The Cuban poet Jorje Luis "Veleta" Mederos recently shared a poem titled "Sociedad Protectora," a text filled with deep irony and sorrow, depicting the emotional divide between Cubans who remain on the island and those who have moved to Florida.
Published on his Facebook account, the poem employs the metaphor of an animal protective society to illustrate the relationship between the Cuban diaspora in the United States and their loved ones still residing on the island. From the outset, the poet sets the emotional geography of the piece: "The Society for the Protection of Cubans is based in Florida. / I have friends / who, out of habit, / have the eyes of an ATM."
The ATM metaphor starkly encapsulates this ambiguity: there is money, there are remittances, yet there is no personal connection. The poem quickly delineates the divide between the two worlds: "Those on this side call this life. / Those over there, like frantic ants, / carry what they can against essential hunger."
A Community Divided by Distance
Veleta Mederos, born in Santa Clara in 1963 and a member of the literary group El Club del Poste, doesn't criticize without nuance. He acknowledges the efforts of those who send aid but points out that such efforts don't stem from love: "The Society for the Protection of Cubans isn't moved by love, / they dwell in a discursive sadness against guayaberas, / against children who are already consecrated grandchildren, / against little green and yellow lies / and the long trucks of stale unhappiness."
The poem moves towards one of its most powerful images: the Cuban who remains as a species nearing extinction. "Fortunately for them / those on this side are dwindling / because the native Cuban is an endemic species / that reproduces little in captivity," he writes, directly referencing the mass exodus that has emptied the island.
Reflections from Within and Beyond
The zoo metaphor unfolds harshly as it describes island Cubans as catalogued animals: "Others, they portray the domestic and sick animal / hung in their homes with a certain neatness: / some are fat / - the alpha males - / and the other species, skinny and famished, / incurable night-blind creatures that rarely bite."
The text also distinguishes within the diaspora itself: "Some associates / simply contribute but never visit, / they can't bear the 'take me with you' eyes." It reserves a space for those who observe from afar without understanding: "World citizens pass by the gate, / observe the protected and understand nothing. / Others pet them / and throw leftover lunch scraps."
The poem is released amid the worst humanitarian crisis Cuba has faced in decades. According to the Food Monitor Program, 33.9% of Cuban households had at least one member who went to bed hungry in the past month, and 94.9% lost some access to food purchases. Blackouts exceed 20 hours daily in many areas.
In light of this situation, the Cuban diaspora in Florida—approximately 1.8 million people, with nearly a million in Miami-Dade—continues to be the main economic support for families on the island. It is estimated that over 90% of Cuba's remittances come from the United States, with Cubans in Miami sending an average of $2,165 annually to their families. However, formal channels have weakened: Western Union halted transfers in February 2025, and a federal tax on certain cash remittances has been in effect since January 2026.
"Sociedad Protectora" is part of a series of protest poems Mederos has published throughout 2026, including "A Country Where Poets Escape" and "I Don't Want Them to Bomb My Country," which document Cuba's social collapse from within.
The poem concludes with an image that blends resignation with perseverance: "The members of the Society for the Protection of Cubans have long memories / and they don't tire, / of being God's ear in the face of disaster."
Understanding the Cuban Diaspora and Its Impact
What is the main theme of Veleta Mederos' poem "Sociedad Protectora"?
The poem explores the emotional and physical divide between Cubans on the island and those who have emigrated to Florida, using metaphors to highlight the complexities of their relationships and the challenges faced by both groups.
How does the poem reflect on the economic support from the Cuban diaspora?
The poem acknowledges the financial aid sent by the diaspora but suggests that these efforts are not driven by love but rather by a complex emotional landscape, highlighting the transactional nature of remittances.
What impact does the poem have in the context of Cuba's current crisis?
In the midst of Cuba's severe humanitarian crisis, the poem underscores the emotional and societal strain on Cubans both on the island and abroad, offering a poignant commentary on their struggles and resilience.