The operating system behind the Cuban medical missions

In another media, last week, I wrote about Cuban medical missions in Brazil. There, he commented on a lawsuit brought by four doctors who participated. The charges constitute a violation of international laws and conventions against trafficking in human beings and forced labor.

The allegation presented describesand a system of exploitation and mbadive violation of rights: from pay and working conditions to coercion exercised on health professionals before and during the trip. On what was paid by Brazil, only 10% was spent on professional salaries, far less than the salary of a doctor in Brazil. The rest is for the Cuban government.

Staff are recruited by implicit or explicit intimidation. Those who refuse to participate in the program are seen as lacking a revolutionary commitment, a source of even greater intimidation. Those who join the program are not informed of the destination or its duration. They do not travel with their pbadport but with a travel document issued to enter the country of destination exclusively. One time over there they must perform propaganda and intelligence functions under the supervision of State Security agents.

The rating had an impact, measured in terms of reading, broadcasting and comments. But the most important thing about this repercussion, and what has come the most, have been the messages of gratitude from Cuban doctors for to make visible a problem that the Cuban regime has hidden for decades, and it has also been very successful. The messages are small testimonies on these missions, in Brazil and in other countries. Here is a sample and I conclude with additional reflection.

Medical missions have been a veil on the Cuban revolution. It is the veil of the history of humanism and solidarity, and the supposed excellence of Cuban medicine. What is said is a story. It has been sold effectively for too long. The four health professionals who initiated this legal action are veiled.

Medical missions were both an instrument of propaganda, foreign policy and currency. And of course, social control. A complete story rooted in abuse: human trafficking, forced labor and exploitation.

* The author is a political scientist at Georgetown University.