A Cuban living in the United States sent a powerful message through a TikTok video on Sunday, serving as a wake-up call for emigrants considering a return to Cuba due to the challenges they face abroad.
Frank Aguilar Victorero began his video with a sentiment familiar to many Cuban emigrants: “I’m going back to Cuba. Yes. At least I can’t take it anymore. I’ve set up my solar panels. I’ll be with my family, my people, and at least I’ll feel like I’m home.”
However, instead of announcing a return, Aguilar Victorero offered a candid reflection on the emotional pitfalls that can lead to such a decision.
He openly described the harsh reality of living undocumented in a foreign land: “There are days I feel trapped in this vast country, without papers, facing closed doors. Finding a job becomes an ordeal, and you end up feeling guilty as if you’ve done something wrong, when all you sought was an opportunity.”
Adding to this burden is the loneliness, the endless cycle of work and expenses, and the inevitable question every emigrant asks: “Is this the American dream? Work and pay and pay and work, and when do you live?”
Nonetheless, the heart of his message was not mere complaint but a caution: in moments of vulnerability, voices around you may push you toward returning.
“Be careful, be careful, because sometimes it’s not the country making the decision for you, it’s the noise around you,” he warned, urging followers to discern the source of the advice they receive.
“Don’t seek counsel from those who only know how to complain. Surround yourself with people who have grown, who have built something, and who can show you a path when you can’t see it,” he advised.
Aguilar Victorero drew a clear line: he doesn’t condemn returning, but he does warn against giving up. “If one day you decide to go back to Cuba, go back, but because you chose to, not because someone who gave up convinced you to do the same.”
The video concluded with a quote popularized by Joaquín Sabina in his song “Peces de ciudad,” originally from Spanish poet Félix Grande: “You shouldn’t try to return to the place where you were happy.” Aguilar Victorero used this to remind that often, nostalgia is not for the place itself, but for the life once lived there.
“Focus, surround yourself with good people, and withstand like a strong horse, because after everything you’ve been through, you deserve the chance,” he concluded.
The video garnered over 60,000 views, nearly 3,800 likes, and more than 500 shares in less than two days, highlighting how deeply this dilemma resonates within the Cuban community abroad.
Understanding the Challenges of Cuban Emigrants
Why do some Cubans consider returning to Cuba?
Some Cubans consider returning to Cuba due to the difficulties they face living abroad, such as dealing with immigration issues, loneliness, and the challenging cycle of work and expenses.
What advice does Frank Aguilar Victorero offer to Cuban emigrants?
Frank Aguilar Victorero advises emigrants to be cautious of outside influences when contemplating a return to Cuba. He suggests seeking guidance from those who have made progress and can offer a clear path forward.
What is the main message of Aguilar Victorero's video?
The main message of Aguilar Victorero's video is to encourage Cuban emigrants not to make hasty decisions about returning to Cuba due to external pressures or emotional struggles, but to make decisions based on personal choice.