Cuban influencer Robert Evangelista took to Instagram on Wednesday to ask for more appreciation from Cubans towards their relatives abroad who send money back home, regardless of the amount.
The video was inspired by an overheard conversation where someone complained about only receiving 70 or 100 pesos from a family member living overseas. Evangelista's response was swift and candid.
"Those living outside don't have any obligation to support those back home because they have to work hard, much harder than here," Evangelista stated in the video.
He painted a stark picture of the hardships faced by Cubans living abroad: individuals who "often don't sleep, don't go out, or have time for themselves." In light of such sacrifices, he found it unacceptable for someone to complain about receiving even 20, 30, or 50 pesos.
"Sending you 20, 30, 40, 50 pesos means they are helping, even if it doesn't seem much. Be a bit more grateful," he emphasized.
Evangelista also criticized the mindset in Cuba of turning emigrants into automatic providers. "We've made social paradises out of those living abroad," he said, urging Cubans to fend for themselves instead of relying on those who left.
At one point in the video, he compared the work conditions in Cuba and abroad: "A floor cleaner over there must work tirelessly, while a floor cleaner here can take breaks for a smoke, coffee, and catch up on neighborhood news."
He linked this dependency mentality to Cuba's political system: "Communism hasn't left our minds, that's the path we're on."
Evangelista wrapped up by revealing that he earns $3,500 a month, yet understands the value of each remittance.
His closing remarks were straightforward: "Appreciate your relatives more. If someone sends 20, 30, 40, 50 pesos, it’s still significant, sincerely $3,500."
This isn't Evangelista's first notable act on social media. In May, he refused a $700-per-post deal to promote food combos for delivery to Cuba, arguing that his Cuban audience couldn't afford them.
"My conscience and dignity aren't worth seven hundred dollars," he asserted at that time.
The conversation sparked by this video is an ongoing one among the Cuban diaspora. In July, a Cuban woman in Spain urged her family back home to appreciate "even a gum, a candy, a lollipop" sent from abroad.
Meanwhile, another Cuban in the United States shared that she sends $300 monthly — $200 for food and $100 in cash — to her father and two others, yet still faces complaints that "it's not enough."
This tension exists against a backdrop where remittances account for 8.3% of Cuba's GDP, reaching about 70% of the population, according to regional economic agencies.
However, formal remittances plummeted from nearly $2 billion in 2023 to just $81.6 million in 2024, a decline reflecting both the regime's restrictions and the exhaustion of emigrants.
Understanding the Challenges of Cuban Remittances
Why are remittances important for Cuba?
Remittances are crucial as they form 8.3% of Cuba's GDP and support around 70% of the population, providing essential financial aid.
What challenges do Cuban emigrants face when sending money back home?
Cuban emigrants often face financial strain, restrictions from the Cuban regime, and the challenge of balancing their own expenses with helping family members in Cuba.
How have remittance flows to Cuba changed recently?
Remittance flows to Cuba have dramatically decreased from nearly $2 billion in 2023 to just $81.6 million in 2024, due to a combination of governmental restrictions and emigrant exhaustion.