A 23-year-old Cuban woman, who makes a living selling popcorn on the streets of Barranquilla, became the focus of an emotionally charged video when a Colombian influencer decided to offer her assistance under the scorching city sun.
This young woman, who will turn 24 in July, left Cuba driven by an overwhelming crisis, which she described with raw honesty and visible emotional exhaustion.
"It's unbearable over there. Thirty hours of blackouts, seventy-two hours. There's no water, sewage is overflowing, no transportation, no food, no medicine. Just terrible," she recounted.
On that particular day, she had set out to sell 55 bags of popcorn and had already sold between 40 and 45 when the influencer approached her to ask about her day.
The man explained that he typically uses his tithe money to support small entrepreneurs in Barranquilla instead of giving it to a church. As part of his support, he organized an activity where the young woman distributed free popcorn to several people in the area.
"Let's round it up to fifty. I'll pay you double for them," the influencer told her, also handing over an additional financial contribution sent by his social media followers.
The Cuban woman's reaction was immediate. With tears in her eyes and a trembling voice, she admitted she had started her day feeling downhearted.
"I came here with low spirits. Oh, thank you so much, my friend," she expressed while repeatedly thanking both God and the journalist for the gesture.
Before parting ways, she acknowledged that her sales had not been good in recent days.
"Even though these days have been slow, well, tomorrow is payday," she remarked, blending resignation with hope.
This scene mirrors the reality faced by countless Cubans who have migrated to Colombia in search of better opportunities. According to data from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over 85,000 Cubans entered the country officially between 2012 and 2025. Many end up surviving through informal trade or precarious jobs due to challenges in validating professional credentials and accessing formal employment.
Barranquilla, alongside Bogotá and Medellín, is among the cities where numerous Cuban migrants are striving to rebuild their lives amidst economic hardships and exhausting workdays.
This phenomenon is part of the greatest Cuban exodus in decades. Between 2021 and 2025, more than a million people left the island, with nearly 30% of emigrants aged between 15 and 34. Latin America has become a major destination for this migration wave: Brazil received over 41,000 asylum requests from Cubans in 2025, while Uruguay saw the arrival of more than 22,000 island citizens that same year.
The ongoing energy crisis remains a primary catalyst for the mass departure of Cubans. In many provinces, blackouts have exceeded 72 consecutive hours, while the country's electricity deficit continues to worsen.
"Well, God bless you, sweetheart," were the young woman's final words to the reporter who, if only for a moment, restored some hope in her amidst a day marked by uncertainty and the longing of someone forced to leave their homeland to survive.
Understanding the Challenges Faced by Cuban Migrants
Why did the young Cuban woman leave Cuba?
She left Cuba due to the severe crisis, characterized by long blackouts, lack of essential resources like water, food, and medicine, prompting her to seek better opportunities abroad.
How are Cuban migrants surviving in Colombia?
Many Cuban migrants in Colombia are surviving by engaging in informal trade or taking on precarious jobs, as they face challenges in validating their professional credentials for formal employment.
What role did the Colombian influencer play in the young woman's story?
The Colombian influencer decided to support the young woman by paying her double for her popcorn and organizing an activity where she gave away popcorn for free, also providing her with additional financial support from his followers.