The Cuban broadcaster Marisela Alfonso Madrigal, who has been living in Spain since last June, recently shared her experiences on social media after emigrating from the country of her birth.
Last Friday, Madrigal expressed on Facebook her immense satisfaction at achieving a level of freedom and well-being that she never managed to attain in Cuba, despite decades of effort.
"I am a fortunate and blessed woman. I have a job, and through my hard work and dedication, I can provide for my partner and family what I could never achieve in over 20 years in Cuba," she wrote in her post, emphasizing that, after emigrating, she is finally fulfilling the dreams that were impossible in the Caribbean nation.
She reflected on how her talent was not appreciated in Cuba, one of the reasons she decided to escape: "I don't buy into the saying that no one is a prophet in their own land. I succeeded with my talent, and it was all for nothing."
Madrigal underscored that at 53 years old, she is finally experiencing freedom to its fullest, something she considers priceless. "Today, at 53, I breathe freedom, and believe me, that is invaluable," she affirmed.
Recently, in an interview with presenter Abel Álvarez for his YouTube program "Abel en cualquier parte," Madrigal admitted that she escaped from Cuba to avoid imprisonment.
Challenges of Leaving Family Behind
"How was it to tell your parents, who are over 80 years old, that you were leaving?" was the question that prompted part of Madrigal's response about her motivations for leaving the island.
"Look, I’ll tell you something, that was a very painful and difficult situation. When I think about it, it brings a lump to my throat," Marisela said as she tried to answer the question.
She narrated that she sat her parents down and told them, "Due to all the denunciations I am making against the regime and dictatorship of Cuba, I had to leave."
Marisela's mother is 80 years old, and her father is 81, and at that age, she forced them to make a choice. "You have to choose, either you go with my brother (who lives in the United States) or your daughter goes to prison," she recounted.
Marisela Alfonso Madrigal's Journey to Freedom
Here are some frequently asked questions about Marisela Alfonso Madrigal's journey to freedom and her experiences after leaving Cuba.
Why did Marisela Alfonso Madrigal leave Cuba?
Marisela Alfonso Madrigal left Cuba due to the lack of freedom and appreciation for her talent, and to avoid imprisonment for her denunciations against the Cuban regime.
How has Madrigal's life changed since moving to Spain?
Since moving to Spain, Madrigal has experienced a level of freedom and well-being that she never managed to achieve in Cuba. She now has a job and can provide for her family, fulfilling dreams that were impossible in Cuba.
What challenges did Madrigal face when leaving her family behind?
One of the toughest challenges for Madrigal was telling her elderly parents that she had to leave. She gave them the difficult choice of either going to live with her brother in the United States or facing her imprisonment.