Miguel Viera, a Cuban attorney known for his outspoken criticism of the Cuban government, has announced his decision to leave the country, citing a lack of future prospects for his daughter. He shared the emotional turmoil of selling all his belongings, a process that is proving to be deeply painful.
Viera, who has gained significant online popularity for his critiques of the regime, explained that while he feels compelled to emigrate, the decision does not bring him any joy. "When someone comes to see the house, my wife handles everything. She is the one tasked with selling my entire life. During those times, I retreat to the garage and sit inside the car, waiting in the dark for it to be over. I can't bring myself to negotiate my life away, to sell the things I have worked so hard for," he shared on his Facebook page.
The lawyer emphasized his deep-rooted connection to Cuba, expressing how difficult it is to sever those ties. Despite traveling in the past, he always found his way back to the island. "We are being forced to leave by those who have taken over Cuba. Those who impose their doctrine and their politics without regard for rights. They force us into exile, making us long for the sun, dream of the beaches from afar, yearn for our childhood, and mourn our families," he lamented.
The Emotional Toll of Leaving
"We all need to realize once and for all that this is not what we want! Cuba belongs to no one, and we have the right to not live far from it! I must leave because of the selfishness of a few and the cowardice of many, myself included... I will leave, but that day, a part of me will die inside," he stressed.
In September, Manuel Viera, known on social media as "Manuel Viera Porelcambio," stated that his primary reason for leaving is political disillusionment. "I'm not leaving Cuba because of economic issues; I'm leaving because of political problems," he declared, noting that Cuban society is "broken" and that "nobody wants to fix it."
Parting with a Lifetime
He announced the sale of his home in the Playa municipality, a residence he spent 18 years building "stone by stone," where he witnessed the birth of his three children, and which was intended as both a home and a business space. He is also parting with his car, an old Argentine Dodge inherited from his father, which has been his companion for over three decades. "I know every nut and bolt of my palmiche," he said.
In 2021, Viera remarked that Cuba would never progress as long as those in power do not respect the plurality of political ideas and equal rights. He emphasized that he will not return as long as there is an atmosphere of fear and political control over society.