A touching reunion between a Cuban emigrant and his father in Cuba has moved over 105,900 viewers on TikTok, sparking an emotional wave among the Cuban diaspora scattered around the globe.
Jorge García, who goes by the TikTok handle @jorgegarcia5642, shared a 53-second video last Wednesday, where he reflects on the struggles faced by Cubans in exile and the hope of reuniting with loved ones.
"It hasn't been easy for Cubans in exile. It hasn't been easy," the video states, followed by a poignant message: "God needs to remember the Cubans, the children who long to see their mothers every day, the mothers who yearn to see their children daily, and the grandparents who passed away waiting to meet their grandchildren."
The video garnered 9,375 likes, 572 comments, and 146 shares, quickly transforming the comment section into a communal space for shared emotions.
One user expressed, "I haven't seen my family for seven years. Hug them tightly, they miss you, and there's nothing better than being with them."
Another shared a similar sentiment: "I also haven't seen my mom and family for seven years."
A particularly heartbreaking comment read: "That was my dream: to return and hug my father, but I have neither option. Sometimes I wonder if this sacrifice is worth it."
One woman confessed, "I suffer a lot, crying silently every night. I'm supporting my daughter and grandkids financially, but I miss them terribly."
Jorge García responded to several messages with encouragement, and in one exchange, he summed up the feelings of countless Cuban emigrants: "No words or money can describe the feeling."
He added in another reply, "No luxury, no money compares to a single moment with the ones you love."
This video is part of a viral trend of Cuban reunions that has taken over TikTok and Facebook during 2025 and 2026, driven by the largest migration wave in the island's recent history.
From 2020 to 2024, between 1.4 and 1.79 million Cubans left the country, and according to Cuban Foreign Ministry data, 38% of Cuban families currently have at least one member living abroad.
Cuban Exile and Reunions: Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the wave of Cuban reunions on social media?
The wave of Cuban reunions on platforms like TikTok and Facebook was driven by the significant migration from Cuba between 2020 and 2024, resulting in many families being separated.
How many Cubans left the country between 2020 and 2024?
Between 2020 and 2024, an estimated 1.4 to 1.79 million Cubans emigrated, contributing to the largest exodus in the nation's recent history.
What percentage of Cuban families have members living abroad?
Currently, about 38% of Cuban families have at least one member residing outside of Cuba, according to the Cuban Foreign Ministry.