A Cuban content creator, Karen Hernández, known on Instagram as @elixir_karen, has shared a video urging fellow Cubans living in Spain to consider leaving the country. She warns that Spain is heading towards communism and dismisses the idea of a superior quality of life as a mere illusion.
In her video, Karen starts by addressing Cubans in Spain: "Without intending to offend, if you're Cuban and watching this from Spain, listen closely. If you're contemplating or fearing another migration, and you're in Spain, go ahead and leave!" She then offers her political assessment, claiming, "Spain is communist, and soon it will be even more so. If Sánchez remains in power, the country will gradually head towards bankruptcy."
Having experienced a similar situation in Cuba, Karen expresses her reluctance to go through it again and challenges the "myth" of European quality of life. "To me, quality of life means having a gym at home, living comfortably without squeezing into a small apartment, paying a thousand euros while earning just twelve hundred," she argues.
Regarding public healthcare, often cited as a benefit of living in Spain, Karen is equally blunt: "You're paying for it through taxes, and an appointment can take nine months."
Her final message leaves no room for doubt: "Don't be fooled by the supposed quality of life. If you're in Spain and you're Cuban, leave again to avoid another disaster and a second Cuba."
The video sparked a heated debate among her followers. Some supported her view, commenting, "Say it louder, Europe isn't easy. There's no work, and a room costs 500€ plus additional expenses." Another follower shared their decision to move to the Dominican Republic: "Here I have a better quality of life and more freedom to invest and progress. I only visit Spain for vacations."
However, she also faced criticism. A Cuban still residing on the island responded with a lengthy comment. While acknowledging some of her points, they urged caution: "Millions of Cubans on the island are looking for a way out, and one of the few hopes we have left is to emigrate to Spain. You don't know whose dreams and hopes you're dashing with your comments."
This isn't the first time Karen Hernández has issued such warnings. In September 2025, she described the idea of moving from the United States to Spain as "madness," citing wages that "don't exceed 1,500 euros." A month later, she listed three reasons against relocating: high taxes on property purchases, limited legal protection for homeowners, and a cost of living that surpasses typical earnings.
The debate over whether Spain is a suitable destination for Cubans has been ongoing within the diaspora for years, and Karen Hernández's video shows that the discussion is far from over.
Debating Spain's Suitability for Cuban Migrants
Why is Karen Hernández advising Cubans to leave Spain?
Karen Hernández argues that Spain is moving towards communism and that the quality of life is not as good as it seems, urging Cubans to migrate before conditions worsen.
What has been the reaction to her video?
The video has divided opinions among her followers. Some agree with her perspective, citing difficulties in Europe, while others criticize her for potentially discouraging those seeking to emigrate to Spain.
What are the concerns about living in Spain according to Karen?
Karen mentions high living costs, small apartments with high rents, delayed healthcare services, and the potential for an economic downturn as reasons for her concerns.