A Cuban, associated with the Miami community, ignited online discussions on Wednesday after posting a TikTok video claiming Cuba as "the best country in the world." He argues that unlike the United States, once you purchase something in Cuba, it's entirely yours with no ongoing financial obligations.
The creator, known as @ariel.rojas0324, builds his case by comparing the two systems: in Cuba, homeowners don't face annual property taxes; car owners only pay for fuel. In contrast, in the U.S., even after paying off a mortgage, property taxes persist indefinitely, and car insurance is legally required.
"In Cuba, if you buy a bike, it's yours. Buy a house, it's yours. Purchase a book, it's yours. Get a TV, it's yours. Whatever you buy is yours. Buy a car, and it's yours," he asserts in his one-minute and 24-second clip.
The creator doesn't shy away from acknowledging the contradictions in his argument. At one point, he candidly admits, "There's only one thing in Cuba: there's no food and no electricity, but everything is yours." His final words encapsulate his view of the American economic system: "Here, nothing is yours, not even yourself."
The video garnered over 20,100 views, 548 reactions, and 338 comments, and was shared under hashtags #cubanosenmiami and #repartocubano, highlighting its circulation within the diaspora.
Legal and Historical Complexity
The discussion sparked by the video touches on intricate legal ground. The 2019 Cuban Constitution acknowledges private property but subjects it to social function and state interest limits, prohibiting private land mortgages. The new Housing Law, approved by the Cuban Parliament in 2026, updates the 1988 legislation, recognizing the right to own up to two homes and removing confiscation for permanent departures from the country.
However, the TikToker's argument overlooks a historically active dimension: the Cuban regime expropriated private properties from the early years of the Revolution, and the U.S. still holds nearly 6,000 certified claims for those expropriated assets, valued at over $9 billion. Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld lawsuits under Title III of the Helms-Burton Act against companies benefiting from those expropriations.
Ongoing Community Conversations
This type of content isn't new among the Cuban TikTok community. Other videos from Cubans residing in the U.S. have amassed tens of thousands of views with similar arguments, splitting audiences between those who appreciate the potential stability of the Cuban system and those who highlight the island's chronic food shortages, extended blackouts, and restrictions on freedom as daily realities.
The debate is further fueled by real-life experiences: some Cubans in the U.S. have purchased their first homes in Cuba from abroad, while others avoid investing in the island's properties despite legal changes, illustrating the polarization that @ariel.rojas0324's video has reignited.
The description chosen by the creator to accompany his clip encapsulates the message's intent: "The truth, even if it hurts."
Insights on Cuban Property Ownership and U.S. Claims
What does the Cuban Constitution say about private property?
The 2019 Cuban Constitution recognizes private property but imposes limitations based on social function and state interests, prohibiting private land mortgages.
How many U.S. claims exist for expropriated Cuban properties?
There are nearly 6,000 certified U.S. claims for properties expropriated by the Cuban regime, with an estimated value exceeding $9 billion.
What impact did the Helms-Burton Act have on U.S. claims?
The Helms-Burton Act allows lawsuits against companies benefiting from expropriated Cuban properties, with the U.S. Supreme Court recently upholding such claims under Title III of the Act.