A Cuban woman residing in Suriname has called out Cubans living abroad who encourage those on the island to take to the streets, urging them to remember their own past experiences. Elizabeth Padrón, in a TikTok video, emphasized that many of these critics did not choose that path when they were in similar circumstances.
"It pains me because most Cubans living outside the country forget that they were once in Cuba and know how things work on the island," said Elizabeth Padrón at the start of her video. The young woman, who has been documenting her life in Suriname for months, expressed her frustration at hearing fellow expatriates claim that Cubans are in their current situation "because they want to be."
Padrón urges Cubans abroad to be more empathetic and understand that no one wants to go to jail, and that many people try to escape the country for a better life—just as many of those now criticizing did.
"When we were in Cuba, and I include myself, we never spoke out. We were as scared as they are," Padrón observed. Despite this, she admitted that if the entire population were to protest en masse, the regime would not be able to effectively suppress such demonstrations, though she sees little chance of that happening.
"It's true that if the whole population of Cuba took to the streets, there wouldn't be enough police or government forces to stop them," Padrón noted, but she also mentioned that a significant portion of the current population is elderly and lacks the vigor for such a struggle.
"The people dared to protest two years ago for the first time, and yet many are still in prison," she argued.
"Non-Cubans don't understand how things work, but we Cubans do. Those who talk like that forget all the things that happen on the island when you disagree with something," concluded Elizabeth Padrón, who, despite her analysis, hopes for a definitive change in Cuba someday.
Elizabeth Padrón's Critique on Cuban Expats
In her video, Elizabeth Padrón addresses common misconceptions and criticisms from Cuban expatriates about the situation on the island. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding her statements and the broader context:
Why does Elizabeth Padrón criticize Cuban expatriates?
Padrón criticizes Cuban expatriates for forgetting their own experiences on the island and for urging residents to protest without understanding the risks involved.
What is Elizabeth Padrón's main message to Cubans abroad?
Her main message is to encourage empathy from Cubans abroad and to remind them that many people try to leave the country for a better life, just as they did.
Does Padrón believe mass protests could succeed in Cuba?
While she acknowledges that mass protests could overwhelm the regime's ability to suppress them, she also notes the unlikelihood of such events occurring due to the population's fear and the aging demographic.