I. Introduction: A Life of Constraint and Scarcity
For ordinary Cubans, daily life is defined by a lack of freedoms and grinding economic hardship. The authoritarian state not only denies citizens their political rights but also mismanages the economy, leaving families struggling to access food, medicine, and basic necessities. This dual crisis of repression and deprivation has created one of the longest-standing migration patterns in the Western Hemisphere. Generations of Cubans have risked everything to flee the island, with hopes of building lives in countries where dignity, opportunity, and freedom are possible.

II. Political Control and Absence of Freedoms
Cuba remains a one-party state under the control of the Communist Party, which monopolises power and silences dissent. Citizens cannot form opposition parties, organise independent political movements, or freely express criticism of the government. Those who attempt to protest face harassment, detention, or imprisonment. The absence of political pluralism and democratic institutions leaves Cubans with no peaceful means to advocate for change, reinforcing the sense of entrapment that fuels migration.

III. Censorship and Surveillance
Censorship pervades Cuban society, with the state controlling all major media outlets and tightly restricting access to the internet. Independent journalism is criminalised, and citizens who share critical opinions online face surveillance and reprisals. The regime employs an extensive security apparatus to monitor communications, ensuring that even private dissent can result in punishment. This climate of fear silences public debate and prevents citizens from holding leaders accountable.

IV. Economic Mismanagement and Scarcity
Cuba’s centrally planned economy, long hampered by inefficiency and corruption, has left citizens trapped in cycles of scarcity. The state rations food and basic goods, but supplies are chronically insufficient. Inflation has eroded wages, and many professionals earn less than is needed for survival. Everyday life is defined by long queues for essentials, empty store shelves, and a dependence on remittances from relatives abroad. For many families, survival is only possible through informal markets or black-market exchanges, which are themselves tightly policed.

V. Collapse of Public Services
Once touted as revolutionary achievements, Cuba’s public services are now in crisis. Hospitals suffer from shortages of medicine, equipment, and trained staff, forcing patients to bring their own supplies for treatment. The education system, while widespread, has been politicised and degraded by underfunding. Public infrastructure, from transport to housing, is crumbling, reflecting decades of neglect and mismanagement.

VI. The Impact on Families
Economic hardship and lack of freedoms have torn Cuban families apart. Many parents see no choice but to send relatives abroad, hoping remittances will sustain those left behind. This has created a cycle in which migration becomes not only a path to opportunity but also a survival strategy for families trapped in poverty. The emotional toll of separation, however, remains immense, with countless families divided for decades by politics and repression.

VII. Youth Disillusionment and Flight
For young Cubans, the lack of opportunity is particularly acute. Unable to find meaningful work or envision a future on the island, many see migration as their only option. Young people are especially disillusioned with the regime’s promises, which contrast sharply with the reality of poverty, censorship, and repression. This generational despair fuels a steady exodus of students and professionals who might otherwise contribute to the country’s future.

VIII. Dangerous Paths to Exile
Migration from Cuba often involves extreme risks. For decades, Cubans have fled on rafts and makeshift boats, braving treacherous waters in search of safety in the United States or elsewhere in the region. Others embark on long overland journeys through Latin America, enduring violence, exploitation, and uncertain asylum processes. These perilous routes underscore the desperation of those who see no other escape from hardship and repression.

IX. Diaspora Support and Remittances
Cuban diaspora communities play a crucial role in sustaining those left behind. Remittances from abroad provide vital resources for food, medicine, and housing, helping millions survive the island’s economic collapse. Diaspora networks also amplify calls for political change, keeping global attention focused on Cuba’s authoritarian regime. At the same time, the dependence on remittances highlights the deep structural failures of the Cuban economy.

X. International Criticism
The Cuban government’s repression and economic failures have drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organisations. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations have documented systemic abuses, from arbitrary detentions to restrictions on freedom of expression. Despite these calls for reform, the regime continues to deny wrongdoing, blaming the U.S. embargo for its internal problems while ignoring the role of authoritarian governance and corruption.

XI. The Scale of Migration
The Cuban exodus is among the largest and most enduring in the Western Hemisphere. Generations of Cubans have fled authoritarianism and economic collapse, forming large diaspora communities in Miami, Madrid, and Latin America. This migration has reshaped Cuban society, creating a transnational identity that bridges the island and its exiles abroad.

XII. Conclusion: Seeking Dignity Abroad
Cubans continue to face a stifling combination of political repression and economic hardship. For many, migration represents the only path to survival, opportunity, and dignity. Until genuine political and economic reforms are enacted, Cuba will remain a nation defined by constraint at home and resilience in exile. The persistence of the Cuban exodus is a powerful testament to the enduring human desire for freedom and hope.