A Cuban woman living in the United States sparked a heated debate on TikTok after she responded to another Cuban woman's comment regarding her personal experience with sending remittances to Cuba. This woman sends $200 in food and $100 in cash each month to her father and two others on the island, yet her father still claims it's insufficient.
The TikTok user @elis54196 advised her to investigate how her family is spending the money, recalling her own early months in the U.S.: "When I first got here, girl, seeing $50 was a big deal. I used to borrow my brother-in-law’s sandals because I wouldn’t buy my own. I saved every penny to send back to Cuba."
She then revealed a phenomenon that resonated with many: people who barely spoke to her in Cuba suddenly became her best friends. "When you're here, everyone loves you. They message you, they care about you. But back in Cuba, they'd pass by without even saying good morning," she expressed candidly.
She also highlighted another familiar pattern: acquaintances who only appear when they need something and vanish once their issue is resolved. "You send them money, they solve their problem, and they don't even say good morning," she noted. As a result, she sometimes prefers donating through an influencer who assists needy families in Cuba rather than sending money to people she knows.
Her conclusion was straightforward: "Once you're here, they see you as an ATM. If my comment upsets anyone, that's their problem."
Comments were split between those who resonated with her experience and those emphasizing the exorbitant prices faced by families on the island. A user who recently arrived from Cuba detailed costs in Las Tunas: "A pack of chicken costs 6,800 pesos, a small bag of rice is 800 pesos, a liter of oil is 3,000 pesos, and a pound of pork is 1,300."
"People who ignored you before are now sending friend requests, asking for money for birthdays," "Many families in Cuba, not all but most, exploit their relatives here, lying and taking advantage to get money regardless of the consequences," and "I send my mom $200 every two weeks for my daughter, her, and her husband. My mom isn't wasteful, but it goes quickly," were some of the responses in the comments.
This phenomenon is neither new nor isolated. Cuban women in the U.S. and Spain have shared similar videos in recent months, all with the same underlying theme: the immigrant's sacrifice versus the sometimes unrealistic expectations of those remaining on the island. The video's protagonist acknowledged this with empathy but didn't downplay the emotional pain: "We need to understand the needs of those in Cuba. I know the hunger, the misery. I know how Díaz-Canel and all the dictators have ruined the country. But it hurts on a personal level. I'm helping you, and then you disappear."
"Sometimes when you give money to someone you don't know but who really needs it, blessings rain down on you, girl," she concluded.
Understanding the Challenges of Sending Money to Cuba
Why do some Cubans in the U.S. feel like ATMs?
Many Cuban immigrants feel pressured to send money to their families in Cuba, often facing unrealistic expectations about how much support they can provide. This can make them feel like they are seen primarily as a source of financial aid.
What challenges do families in Cuba face with the current economy?
Families in Cuba face soaring prices for essential goods, making it difficult to make ends meet. Despite receiving remittances, the high cost of living often means that the money doesn't stretch far enough.
How have other Cubans in the U.S. and Spain responded to this issue?
Many have shared similar experiences of feeling exploited by family members in Cuba, often expressing frustration over the lack of gratitude and the emotional strain this situation can cause.