Cuban physicians desert in fear of Chávez's electoral defeat

[Bacchus4.0]

http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/121001/cuban-physicians-desert-in-fear-of-chavezs-electoral-defeat

Since May, 80 Cuban doctors have deserted Venezuela, revealed sources close to health program Misión Barrio Adentro


Cuban officials coordinating Venezuelan health program "Misión Barrio Adentro" are worried about the numerous desertions taking place in Venezuela. It is believed that as many as 80 Cuban physicians have left the country on a monthly basis over the last 90 days, ahead of October 7 presidential election. Furthermore, the exodus may exceed the figure recorded in 2011 (500 doctors).

"Some 22 physicians, including me, deserted the program in different parts of the country in just one week in May (...) It has been at least 80 people per month," commented Yumar Gómez, a Cuban physician who is now in Miami.

In 2011, at least 700 Cuban physicians around the world abandoned the missions provided for under the agreements between the communist Cuban Government and other 66 countries. As many as 500 of those physicians were in Venezuela, cited "Barrio Afuera," an organization that supports Cuban physicians seeking to leave "Barrio Adentro."

"Many believe things are not alright. Some have left because they believe that President Chávez is far from winning the election and his defeat is imminent. Let me tell you this... many do not want to return to Cuba," Gómez asserted.

[Mika]

1. So, they're afraid of the anti Chavez murderous mobs.

BTW, how many is the "many" that some person, Yumar Gómez, refers to? Is that like "some people say"?







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[COLGATE4]

2. Yep. It must be those 'anti Chavez murderous

mobs'.

[Bacchus4.0]

3. no, they simply don't want to be sent back to Cuba

don't worry, the Cuban and Venezuelan governments are working hard to ensure Chavez wins.

[Mika]

4. LOL

I personally know that only a few have left Ven for Miami. Most who've left the program have returned to Cuba in fear of their lives, due to threats from anti Chavez criminals, with only support and protection from the Cuban gov't.

Nice try. Keep up the fictional postings.



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[naaman fletcher]

6. Anti Chavez criminals?

LOL. Back to the old "the crime is all a right wing conspiracy" line.

[Mika]

7. Where the hell do I say that?

I don't say that anywhere.

You really must stop with your knee jerk projection. It's immature. It is a reason I don't bother trying to debate you.


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[naaman fletcher]

9. Who then are these anti-chavez criminals?

We've heard the line here before that the crime in Venezuela is a right wing creation, but I apologize I should have asked you first.

As for projecting, it is a FACT that you support Venezuela undermining it's democratic laws in order to disenfranchise a certain group of voters.

I'd love to hear your take on the Butterfly ballot, too.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

13. are you telling me the only criminals is those supporting Chavez? nt

[naaman fletcher]

15. not at all

I think they are all just, well, street thug criminals. But there is a common theme here on this board that the criminals are a creation of the right-wing.

[Mika]

18. That "common theme" is your projection.

Your own posted projection and transference pretty much describes this "common theme" you mention.

You really need to step back, take a breath, and take it down a notch or two, my dear friend. Your assumptions and accusations really are intolerable.






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[naaman fletcher]

22. It's been said more than once here

I stand by what I said.

[joshcryer]

12. 80 a month, and they're not returning to Cuba, presumably.

Now, use logic here, it's really simple.

If they think that Chavez will win and that anti-Chavez mobs will kill them, why not put in a transfer back to Cuba?

If they think, however, that Capriles will win, and that he will deport them back to Cuba, it makes sense for them to get out of dodge before that happens.

However, it's commonly felt within the opposition that Cubans residing in Venezuela should get citizenship (which goes against the whole "anti-Chavez murderous mobs" sentiment).

So I don't know why they would leave unless they felt that something worse was the case, that perhaps Capriles would win, but Chavez would take the country into civil war or something, and they would still be deported back to Cuba.

Regardless it indicates uncertainty in their future so they're taking advantage of their situation the best they can, imo.

[Mika]

21. As I said up thread, most do return to Cuba.

Many who leave are threatened by (anti Chavez/Castro) thugs (including some of those seeking immigration to the USA). Most return to Cuba and are reassigned to a different project. Sure, some come to the USA, but, only because the USA hands them the immigration advantage of the Wet Foot/Dry Foot policy as well as the plethora of special immigration perks for Cubans only under the US's Cuban Adjustment Act (such as instant legal entry, instant green card, instant work visa, instant access to sec 8 housing, food stamps, Social Security, Medicare/aid etc etc) with no waiting period nor background check. Yes, as you mention, some do take advantage of this socialist immigration perk offered by the USA to Cubans only, that is just why the VAST majority of Cubans who choose to emigrate from Cuba come to the USA, not so much to other countries (none offer the perks for Cubans equal to the USA).




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[joshcryer]

23. I took "deserted the program" as to mean they quit the program, and Cuba, entirely.

If that is incorrect then the stat doesn't tell us much. They could be leaving because they are afraid of a civil war or something.

[Bacchus4.0]

5. Cable Reveals Corruption & Mistreatment Of Cuban Doctors Working In Venezuela

http://latindispatch.com/2011/07/08/cable-reveals-corruption-mistreatment-of-cuban-doctors-working-in-venezuela/

Cuban doctors working in poor regions of Venezuela face miserable working conditions, inadequate medical supplies and the fear of constantly being monitored by co-workers, according to a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable.

Working in Venezuela as part of a social mission sponsored by Hugo Chávez’s government entitled Barrio Adentro, the Cuban doctors have brought a litany of complaints to the U.S. embassy in Caracas. Some of the doctors had their passports taken from the them upon entering the country for fear that they would flee and others had to pay exorbitant bribes to customs officials in order to leave Venezuela.

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As part of Barrio Adentro and other social welfare programs set up by the Venezuelan government, the doctors were conscripted to work in city slums or impoverished rural communities. Some of the doctor’s said they were forced by Cuban authorities to go to Venezuela for one to three years service.

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The U.S. Embassy in Caracas approved 79 Cuban doctors for asylum in the U.S. in 2009. 39 doctors successfully boarded flights from Caracas to Miami, while others had to wait for their finances to improve or were sent back to Cuba, the cable noted.

[Mika]

8. Wow. 79.

Some people say ...

... according to a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable.

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[Judi Lynn]

10. Everything in those cables is 100% true, doncha know! Punishable by law if they lie!

Just like everything in our corporate media.

The ambassadors and staff know everything. Those politically appointed people are all-seeing.

[Bacchus4.0]

14. same old Mika, when you don't like the news

just pretend its not happening. That 79 was just in Caracas in 2009. its picked up since then.

[Mika]

20. Ms Cleo? Is that you?

How do you know that I don't "like" this news? WhyTF do you go after me in such a way? It constitutes a personal attack - your trademark - against me. Jeez, man, it is puerile shit like that, that keeps me from engaging here much anymore. Ridiculous.

Please provide something more than the Faux Nooze some-people-say hyperbolic styling of "... according to a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable".




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[Bacchus4.0]

24. so what is your assertion?? that Cuban doctors aren't defecting?

and enjoy indentured servitude???

[Mika]

26. I am asserting that your use of "... according to a leaked diplomatic communication" ...

... is nothing more than hearsay. Like Faux Nooze "some people say" crap. I've explained some of what I personally know about Cuban physicians who've left Ven. because of threats (and very few of those in the program leaving Ven are seeking to get to the USA). That's my position. It is my position because it is factually based - not based on '... according to ... blah blah blah ... some people say' bullshit.





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[Bacchus4.0]

28. in your case its just "one person says Cuban doctors flee because of threats"

that one person being you. Meanwhile, various articles are refering to hundreds of doctors fleeing every year just from Venezuela. got it.

[joshcryer]

11. This is par for the course but nothing like the Venezuelan labor issues under Chinese firms.

It is common knowledge that Cuban doctors are sent to hellholes to work to prove themselves to the almighty party in Cuba. All so they can get an exit visa. Some endure. Not all can, though, as is proven by the asylum seekers.

[Peace Patriot]

16. "...while others had to wait for their finances to improve...". LOL!

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Not.

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"The U.S. Embassy in Caracas approved 79 Cuban doctors for asylum in the U.S. in 2009. 39 doctors successfully boarded flights from Caracas to Miami, while others had to wait for their finances to improve or were sent back to Cuba, the cable noted." --latindispatch.com

[Bacchus4.0]

17. right, in order to bribe the appropriate Ven authorities. got it?? n/t

s

[Mika]

19. Got what? Your make believe BS?

Would accusation of you assuming that all in the Venezuelan gov't are corrupt be accurate? Seems to be.




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[Bacchus4.0]

25. wrong again Mika

I am certain there are dedicated officials even among the Chavistas. Corruption is simply pervasive and at the highest levels of government.

[Mika]

27. So, some Drs are waiting for a corrupt official to bribe?

Hmmm. Looks like some are having a hard time finding one.





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[Bacchus4.0]

29. or perhaps they are trying to collect enough money for the bribe n/t

s