José Gabriel, a Cuban in Uruguay known on TikTok as @kabio66, shared his heartfelt feelings about his host country in a recent video. Recorded from a car, he answered questions from his companion about his life in Uruguay.
"Uruguay is my second home, brother, my second homeland. I love Uruguay; I am extremely grateful to Uruguay. I adore this country; I fell in love with it. I have two homelands, Cuba and Uruguay, brother, honestly from the heart," he expressed in the video. He also shared his views on the people: "Uruguayans, in general, are good people. The truth is, there are Uruguayans who despise us, and there are Uruguayans who love us Cubans very much. Honestly, I have many Uruguayan friends, but overall, I find them to be super good people. They are super good people, really," he said.
Community Reactions
In the reactions, users celebrated his gratitude towards the host country. Many welcomed him and praised the arrival of individuals eager to work and integrate. Some shared their own experiences and feelings. "I am Cuban, I lived in Uruguay. It is my other country; I would give my life for Uruguay and its people"; "Welcome to my beautiful country. Most Uruguayans want you to be happy here"; "I appreciate your words, in Uruguay, everyone is welcome and with respect. We all know that emigrating is not easy. In Uruguay, working hard allows you to live well from the heart"; "God gave you the opportunity to know a wonderful country"; "I also love it. They received our family with much love. Thank you, Uruguay"; "I am Cuban, and I love this great country and its people; to me, they are very lovely people. I love Uruguay and my Cuba"; "I have Cuban friends, and they are wonderful, they are lovely people. I am thankful to God for knowing them, they are charming individuals," read among the hundreds of messages following the post, which currently exceeds 6,600 likes and has been viewed over 120,000 times. Most responses reflect an atmosphere of acceptance and coexistence, as evidenced by a comment that says: "In every country, there will be people who make distinctions for not being from that country. One has to deal with different opinions from everyone."
Understanding the Cuban Experience in Uruguay
This section aims to answer some common questions about the Cuban experience in Uruguay, as shared by José Gabriel and others.
What makes Uruguay appealing to Cubans?
Many Cubans find Uruguay appealing due to its welcoming and inclusive community, opportunities for work, and the overall quality of life it offers.
How do Uruguayans generally perceive Cuban immigrants?
While experiences may vary, many Uruguayans are welcoming and friendly towards Cuban immigrants, appreciating their willingness to work and integrate into society.
What challenges do Cubans face when moving to Uruguay?
Like any immigrants, Cubans in Uruguay may face challenges such as cultural adjustments, language barriers, and occasional discrimination from some individuals.