The Cuban YouTuber Michel Crónicas, widely recognized for sharing his life experiences in Mexico, has stirred significant attention with a video that continues to gain traction on TikTok. Released in late 2024, the short video sees Michel contemplating the aspects of life he enjoys in Mexico—things he considers unimaginable in Cuba.
His message resonates profoundly amidst the current backdrop where thousands of Cubans in Mexico face uncertain futures due to sudden changes that have left them without legal pathways to cross into the United States. These changes are a result of the stringent immigration policies enforced by President Donald Trump.
Michel's video has amassed more than 120,000 likes on TikTok. Speaking candidly, the influencer lists several freedoms and conveniences he has found in Mexico, drawing a stark contrast to the situation in his homeland. “I can buy various types of bread, have numerous public transportation options, purchase clothes and shoes even on the streets, enjoy a wide variety of fruits, attend concerts of my favorite artists, and stay in hotels,” Michel notes.
The video concludes with a statement that has sparked a wave of comments: "A Cuban in Mexico can have and do things, unlike a Cuban in Cuba who neither has nor can do. Cubans, appreciate and value your life in Mexico."
The Challenges Facing Cubans in Mexico
Since Donald Trump resumed the presidency of the United States on January 20, his administration has initiated one of the most extensive deportation policies of illegal immigrants in the nation's history. This has impacted thousands of Cubans who had hoped to cross the northern border in search of better opportunities. For many, the American dream has been shattered by these harsh immigration restrictions.
Michel Crónicas also recently shared the joy of bringing his parents to Mexico for a period, a dream that many Cuban migrants wish to fulfill. His testimony joins that of thousands of Cubans who, despite the challenges, find a better quality of life in Mexico compared to the crisis in their home country.
The video offers a perspective on the stark differences between living in Cuba and the potential for a life with more opportunities elsewhere.
Understanding the Cuban Migrant Experience in Mexico
What prompted Michel Crónicas to create his video?
Michel created the video to reflect on the freedoms and conveniences he enjoys in Mexico, which he finds unimaginable in Cuba, and to express gratitude for these opportunities.
How have Donald Trump's immigration policies affected Cubans in Mexico?
The policies have imposed severe restrictions, leaving many Cubans without legal means to enter the United States, thereby complicating their quest for better opportunities.