#34 Pies Secos, Pies Mojados

The desire to escape Cuba persists despite significant risks, driven by economic stagnation and a lack of personal agency. For decades, the "Wet Foot, Dry Foot" policy incentivized dangerous maritime crossings, where individuals built makeshift rafts to navigate shark-infested waters in hopes of reaching U.S. soil. Many, like Michael, a Cuban who attempted the journey, faced life-threatening storms and mechanical failures, often motivated by the trauma of the "Special Period" when basic resources were scarce. Beyond the physical danger, a pervasive culture of surveillance and fear forces many Cubans to hide their intentions, creating a disconnect between public displays of loyalty and private aspirations for a different life. The recent termination of the "Wet Foot, Dry Foot" policy fundamentally alters this landscape, leaving those who still dream of departure to face the harsh reality of potential deportation.