A young Cuban named Dean Pablo Hernández (@deanpablohernandez13) shared an emotional video on TikTok, expressing the heartache caused by family separation due to emigration. The occasion was his younger brother's birthday, marking the third year in a row that he couldn't be there to embrace him.
"I'm recording this video to look back on someday and laugh at this moment. I waited to stop crying because I don't like appearing on camera crying, nor do I want anyone's pity," Dean explains at the beginning of the nearly three-minute clip.
The reason behind his tears was both clear and painful: "Yesterday was my little brother's birthday, and it's the third one I've spent away from him, unable to see him, give him a simple hug, or hand him a small gift in person."
Dean transforms his personal sorrow into a broader message for those who have their loved ones nearby and might not fully appreciate that privilege. He refers to them as "millionaires who don't realize it," emphasizing that he doesn't mean financially.
His advice is straightforward and relatable: invite your mom to eat, spend time playing with your brother, take pictures with your family on any ordinary day, not just on special occasions. "Cherish the times you can walk down the street holding her hand, spend a little time playing with your brother, even if it's just coloring in a book. Those simple moments are priceless and you'll remember them when they're gone."
Addressing the loneliness faced by emigrants, Dean speaks candidly: "We're living in times where you may be surrounded by many people, but at the end of the day, you're alone. And it's tough to hear, but it's true, you're alone."
The video concludes with a reflection on manhood: "The more of a man you become, the more you must understand that a true man fights every day for his family and takes pride in that."
Dean's testimony joins a growing number of videos shared by Cuban emigrants on TikTok, highlighting the emotional toll of family separation, especially on symbolic dates. Just last week, another Cuban's return after four years to surprise his mother garnered over 77,800 views on the platform.
This phenomenon is occurring amid a significant migration crisis in Cuba. According to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reported by Infobae, Cuba experienced a net population loss of 245,264 people due to migration in 2025, leaving the population at 9,434,593. Since 2021, over a million Cubans have left the country, fragmenting countless families and making reunions — when they happen — moments of intense emotional charge.
For many emigrants, returning to the island to visit loved ones is challenging, while social media has become a public space to express this migratory grief. As Dean warns in his video: "You'll remember me the day you don't have them. The day you're on the other side of the world and wish to wake up, have breakfast made by your mom, and she's not there."
Understanding the Emotional Impact of Cuban Family Separation
What prompted Dean Pablo Hernández to share his story on TikTok?
Dean shared his story to reflect on the pain of family separation due to emigration, as he missed his younger brother's birthday for the third consecutive year.
How does Dean suggest people value their family presence?
Dean advises cherishing simple moments with family, such as inviting your mom to eat, playing with your brother, and taking photos regularly, not just on special occasions.
What is the broader context of Dean's message?
Dean's message is set against the backdrop of a major migration crisis in Cuba, where over a million Cubans have left the country since 2021, causing significant family separations.