A Cuban woman living in the United States has gone viral on TikTok after releasing a video where she vents her frustration with family members on the island for their incessant requests for money and goods, seemingly unaware of the real effort required to earn a living abroad.
Yeisla Colina recorded the video from her car while working as a delivery driver for Spark Driver—the independent delivery platform of Walmart—during a heavy rainstorm. The video, released on August 28, quickly garnered over 165,000 views, 9,713 likes, 1,162 comments, and 2,239 shares.
"To the relatives in Cuba who think a hundred dollars in the United States is easy to come by, look at me doing Spark Drive in a downpour because I'm fed up with the situation. They're constantly asking, asking, asking, give me, send, send," Colina expressed in the video.
She detailed how she sends a package of basic and essential goods to the island each month, yet her family continues to demand more without showing any gratitude.
"They often don't even thank you for the box you sent," she remarked.
Colina also listed the financial responsibilities she faces in the U.S.: car payments, auto insurance, electricity, and rent, emphasizing that failing to meet these obligations has immediate consequences, regardless of personal circumstances.
"If I don't pay my rent, the landlord won't care if I have two, three, five kids, they'll evict me. Don't compare," she stated.
Towards the end of the video, Colina directed a pointed message regarding the causes of Cuba's crisis and declared her intention to halt further aid: "Cuba has been the way it is for over sixty years due to a dictatorship, and you Cubans on the island aren't doing anything either. Don't ask me for anything else, because I won't send anything there anymore, with all the pain in my heart. I'm done."
Colina's situation is part of a viral trend among Cubans abroad who publicly express exhaustion over the constant demands for remittances and material support from family members in Cuba.
Throughout 2026, multiple similar cases were recorded: In March, a Cuban identified as @maydari6 claimed her family only contacted her to ask for money; in May, a Cuban in Florida lashed out at compatriots who made blatant requests for goods; in June, a Cuban in Spain shared that she had sent 4,000 euros in six months and received mistreatment in return; and in July, a Cuban in Arizona demanded appreciation for the effort involved in sending money from abroad.
The phrase "they see you as an ATM" has become a common descriptor of this dynamic within the Cuban diaspora on social media during 2025 and 2026.
Behind this tension lies the reality for many emigrants who work in the gig economy—such as Spark Driver, DoorDash, or Instacart—as independent contractors without employment benefits, shouldering all operational costs while financially supporting families in an island mired in decades of structural crisis caused by the dictatorship.
Understanding the Challenges Faced by Cuban Emigrants
What are the main financial challenges faced by Cubans living abroad?
Cubans living abroad often face significant financial pressures, including high living costs such as rent, insurance, and utilities, all while supporting family members in Cuba who frequently request money and goods.
Why do many Cuban emigrants feel unappreciated by their families in Cuba?
Many Cuban emigrants feel unappreciated because, despite their efforts to send money and essential goods, their families in Cuba often do not express gratitude and continue to make additional demands.