A Cuban who spent a decade and a half living in the United States and now resides in Spain recently shared a TikTok video that humorously encapsulates his feelings about his former life in America: complete silence.
The content creator, known as Mike The Explorer on his TikTok handle @destino_wonderlands, uploaded a 21-second video on April 11. In this clip, he humorously promises to reveal the top three things he misses about the U.S. since his move to Spain.
“I'm a Cuban living in Spain, and after living fifteen years in the United States, today I'm going to tell you the three things I miss most about the U.S.,” he starts off in the video.
What follows is a twist that sparked reactions: Mike remains entirely silent, suggesting he misses absolutely nothing and thoroughly enjoys his new life in Spain, as the video's description confirms.
This comedic tactic—announcing a list and then saying nothing—is a common format on TikTok to convey that something doesn't exist. In this instance, the message resonated strongly with the Cuban community on the platform.
The video is tagged with #spain, #barcelona, #cubanos, and #humortiktok, implying that Mike resides in Barcelona, one of the Spanish cities with a significant Cuban population.
Cubans Weigh Life in the U.S. vs. Spain
Mike The Explorer’s testimony aligns with a growing trend among the Cuban diaspora who compare living conditions in the U.S. and Spain. Many content creators have touched on this subject, often reaching similar conclusions: less work pressure, access to social security, and a better work-life balance that eludes many in the American job market.
Another Cuban, known as @alietty_livestyle, who spent ten years in Gran Canaria before moving to the U.S., succinctly put it: “Living as a lower class in Spain and in the U.S. is not the same,” highlighting that Spain offers a better quality of life despite lower wages.
Similarly, a Cuban in Miami has publicly questioned whether the demanding U.S. labor market is worth the stress compared to European experiences.
Migration Patterns and Alternatives
Migratory dynamics amplify the reach of these videos. The termination of the CHNV humanitarian parole program by the Trump administration in 2025 left thousands of Cubans in the U.S. with uncertain immigration status, prompting many to consider Europe as a viable option.
Spain has emerged as a primary destination for Cuban migrants. According to Spain's National Statistics Institute, 124,812 Cubans currently reside in the country, primarily in the Canary Islands, Madrid, and Catalonia. Between 2022 and 2023, approximately 150,000 Cubans moved to Spain, many under the Democratic Memory Law.
A recent survey among young Cubans about their preferred destinations ranks Spain alongside the U.S. and Brazil, suggesting that the “American dream” is increasingly competing with a European alternative that, at least for Mike The Explorer, leaves nothing to be missed.
Exploring Cuban Migration Experiences
Why did Mike The Explorer choose Spain over the U.S.?
Mike The Explorer likely chose Spain due to the better work-life balance, less pressure in the job market, and the appealing living conditions that Spain offers.
What are some reasons Cubans prefer Spain over the U.S.?
Cubans may prefer Spain for its lower work pressure, access to social security, and overall quality of life, despite the lower wages compared to the U.S.
How has the U.S. immigration policy affected Cuban migrants?
The cancellation of the CHNV humanitarian parole program by the Trump administration left many Cubans in the U.S. with uncertain immigration status, pushing them to consider Europe as an alternative.