A 92-year-old Cuban woman has become the heartwarming focal point of a viral story, sharing her joy and wonder as she lives out her twilight years in Spain with her family, far from the island she left behind.
Last Friday, TikTok user @miguelina9958 shared the video under the hashtags #cubanosenespaña and #cubanosporelmundo. In a brief 29-second clip, the elderly woman speaks to the camera with such genuineness that she quickly resonated with the Cuban community abroad.
"Who would have thought that at 92 years old, I would be here in Spain with my grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, in a place with so much more development where everything makes me very happy. I spend time with my daughter, who has me here; with my son-in-law, and all the friends I've made here, and honestly, I am very happy," she shares in the video.
Her story shines a light on the often-overlooked aspect of the Cuban diaspora: that of elderly individuals who, in their final years, are able to reunite with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren abroad, instead of waiting out their days alone in Cuba.
This stands in stark contrast to the more commonly heard tales of Cuban emigrants. Many Cubans abroad bear the emotional burden of having left parents or grandparents back on the island, unable to accompany or bid them farewell. Stories of grandparents who never saw their grandchildren again after boarding a plane are just a few of the many circulating online about such irreversible separations.
The Spanish Immigration Framework
Spanish law allows for the reunification of elderly parents under certain conditions. The general immigration framework permits the reunification of first-degree relatives over 65 years old when they are dependent on the sponsor and when there are justified reasons for authorizing their residence in Spain.
Spain has emerged as a major destination for Cuban emigrants. At the beginning of this year, over 287,000 Cubans were registered in the country, and by 2025, at least 35,200 individuals from the island had arrived.
Impact of the "Grandchildren's Law"
The so-called "Grandchildren's Law" — the Law of Democratic Memory — has further fueled this migration. Cuba ranks second in the number of applications for Spanish nationality through this channel, following Argentina. The influx of over 100,000 applications led Spain to open a new Visa Application Center in Playa, Havana's Miramar neighborhood, starting operations on October 5 for Schengen visas.
In a broader context, the Cuban exodus shows no signs of slowing. The National Office of Statistics and Information of Cuba reported that 251,221 people left the island in 2024 alone, with approximately 1.79 million Cubans emigrating between 2021 and 2024.
Against this backdrop of separations and distances, the testimony of this 92-year-old woman concludes with a sentiment that many Cuban expatriates wish for their elders: "Honestly, I am very happy."
Understanding Cuban Migration to Spain
What is the "Grandchildren's Law" in Spain?
The "Grandchildren's Law," or the Law of Democratic Memory, allows individuals with Spanish ancestry to apply for Spanish nationality, which has significantly contributed to Cuban migration to Spain.
How does Spain facilitate family reunification for Cubans?
Spain's immigration laws permit the reunification of elderly parents under specific conditions, such as dependency on the sponsor and justified reasons for residency approval.
Why is Spain a popular destination for Cuban emigrants?
Spain is a favored destination for Cubans due to shared language, cultural ties, and immigration policies like the "Grandchildren's Law" that facilitate legal pathways for residency and citizenship.