Cuban exile community turns national tragedy into profit-driven commentary industry

The Cuban diaspora, particularly in the United States and Canada, has developed a lucrative sector that capitalises on the island’s ongoing economic and political hardships. Scholars and analysts note that many exiles have built careers around publicizing Cuba’s crises, offering conferences, consultancy, publications and media appearances that generate income while the underlying problems persist.

Critics argue this “industry of indignation” benefits from the continued suffering of Cubans on the island, turning humanitarian concerns into personal brand value and financial gain. The phenomenon is described as a form of moral entrepreneurship, where the narrative of Cuban oppression is packaged for academic, media and policy‑making audiences without delivering concrete solutions for the people experiencing the hardship.