Debate Ignites Over Varadero Beach Video Comparing Life in Cuba and the U.S.: "You're Slaves with Borrowed Homes"

A Cuban has sparked a heated debate on social media after posting a video from Varadero Beach, coupled with a strong message criticizing the life of emigrants working long hours abroad. "Better than being on a construction site with your boss over you wearing a hard hat," says TikToker Leo Velcalderín, as he showcases the deserted beach in the early morning. In his video, he contrasts the serene Cuban natural environment with what he describes as modern-day slavery abroad.

"Stop deceiving people by saying you live well over there. You're a modern-day salaried slave, you have no life of your own. Your life is dictated by your boss. Stop telling people you have a house and a car. You own nothing; all that belongs to the bank, all of it is debt," Velcalderín asserts in his video.

Identifying as a resident of the island, the creator argues that many emigrants try to portray an unrealistic image of success. "The only thing you'll achieve is losing your hair and even your sense of self, because you're in a graveyard of dead ambitions, in a land of the living dead," he declares with colloquial and provocative language.

Velcalderín expresses a preference for life in Cuba despite daily hardships. "I prefer to stay in my homeland with power outages, eating a mango or a fried egg, but having time to live, share with friends, and enjoy my family—those are the things that truly matter in life. Over there, no one cares about anyone, there's no family, no friends, nothing," he concludes.

The video has elicited numerous reactions from Cuban users, both inside and outside the country, who debate in the comments about the validity of the arguments and the contrasting realities of life in Cuba versus emigration.