* "We knew the people needed us, but we were just political pawns so badly treated," says Dr. Fontirroche
* A bleak vision of some values \u200b\u200bthat were once the pride of the Cuban
* "The Cuban revolution was a social good, but was distorted by power, says the doctor
Laura Rodriguez Rojas Rafael had exposed various acts of corruption, and knew that as a result that could bring his deportation, but when morality is not subject to censorship, threats are of little value.
At 7 am, Rafael was made in the small hospital where he offered his services in exchange for 5 000 79 Cordobas.
spent visiting the hut among his patients until he heard some rumors that he was forced to turn over his steps and return to the "barracks" where they were sleeping.
The place was a kind of barn divided by cubicles through pieces of cardboard, where privacy was the dream of all physicians who inhabited it.
had a small kitchen where to save gas, made a single meal for the 30 Cubans who cheated hunger with chicken broth, rice and beans.
bathrooms off a putrid smell, he had a small hole that opened into the sewage pipes.
All who were there, counted the days to return to their country and leave behind many hardships, hoping that with the money saved would help their families make life more bearable in the Caribbean island.
humanitarian work
swearing None humanitarian work they performed in that sister country, where the shortage of specialists multiplied the number of deaths at the hands of witches and midwives, but no one had imagined the dramatic conditions of overcrowding have to face. Decides
Rafael scoot back into the bedroom with the comment heard in the corridors of the hospital rang in the ears: "Boy, Rafael are going to return to Cuba to get to the boss Rafael
knew what expected if returned to the island branded a counterrevolutionary. The public shame, the shame of their children, psychological abuse his wife, the dirty looks, the phone calls.
recalled the case of other doctors who had lost the post of professor and received verbal threats for raising criticism against the government of Fidel Castro, and now his brother Raul.
Without thinking twice, moved by an irresistible impulse to break the chains of intransigence, Rafael got his few belongings in a backpack and left never to return.
finally found refuge in the homes of trusted friends, knowing that the Cuban State Security, the highest body of repression in Cuba, peinaría heaven and earth to find it. The
My first contact first contact with Rafael began when he had dropped out of medical brigade. We communicate through the social network Facebook, and started a good friendship.
From the beginning I noticed some reservations when we played the theme of the brigade, as if to keep their experience on their privacy. But my curiosity finally break down their barriers. Finally
learned of his desertion - something he had hidden in all our conversations - and I could start to spin up some loose ends, which only made sense on January 18, 2010, when I first decided to break the silence. Three hours
Rafael
The interview took place in a cafe in Santo Domingo Galleries. Rafael came 35 minutes after the appointed time, when I hope that her story began to fade.
gave a quick look and recognized me almost instantly. He approached the table where I was at a deliberate pace, but they passed me, he collapsed in a chair placed next to me. It was as if in that millisecond of time, the forces that had accompanied it had been abandoned.
I tried to reassure him by saying that nobody knew we were there, and gradually calm returned to the embargo. And so, among many people outside the drama that this man was living, he began the interview.
How did you come to Nicaragua?
I went through a selection process based on your professional skills, your support for the revolution and your desire to offer your skills to a society that needs them. It is also an escape route.
What you mean to escape?
Rafael's gaze is lost in a fog, as if hesitating. Finally he heard a small voice that opens space between many fears:
"The brigades of Cuban doctors who travel abroad have become the only way to escape of a totalitarian government where we have no right to disagree or express our disagreements over how to handle the economy and politics of the country. "
immigration laws and immigration ban in force in Cuba out of Cuba by legal means. The only way to travel to other countries are using an invitation letter from the place you want to go, the voluntary expatriation accompanied by the loss of all your assets, marriage to a foreigner, or Brigades International solidarity as to which he belonged Rafael.
Is that the only reason you left Cuba?
No, the brigade also saw the only way to improve my financial situation. In Cuba, the wages are very low. For example, I myself am a specialist and enjoyment of the highest salaries, earned only 633 pesos a month. That means 25.32 dollars, not even enough for food.
In Cuba there is a ration book that gives the public a short list of products to alleviate their food needs. Tamper
Yatama
How do you received the Nicaraguan population?
Honestly, very well. I felt very welcome. People knew that we were there to strengthen the health care and provide care in specialties such as surgery, orthopedics, internal medicine and pediatrics. The obstacle was the FSLN's opponents, because they were trying to sabotage our work.
Who were these opponents and what they did? Yatama
The indigenous party. To them we represented an obstacle to their political interests, we raised false charges, discrediting our work campaigning against us in the media, especially radio programs.
Why represented an obstacle?
Because they know that we are part of a political project that we used as bait to carry votes within the community. I'm not saying that the brigades have no human nuance, but, without doubt, physicians are an instrument of the Sandinista and Cuban governments, because nobody and nothing is apolitical.
Corruption
Why drop out?
I always saw the brigade as an opportunity to get out of a system that has no future. Communism has led to an economy of poverty and a life of hardship, with rampant prostitution under the approval of the authorities. All this to promote exclusivity and quality of the only economic activity that is profitable on the island: tourism. In addition, I also saw many acts of corruption I denounced and hauled me many enemies.
What corruption?
The head of the brigade issued orders to remove soap, toilet paper and other essential products to meet the needs of physicians, but instead of distributing them, they were left for him and other leaders of Nicaragua, maintaining a brisk business at the expense of our needs. And all that was paid by the MoH.
Ever I report this?
Yes, because we had to use our savings to pay for something that rightfully belonged to us. The idea of \u200b\u200ball Cubans to leave his country is working hard to save the most money and send it to his family, but this was a robbery at how blatant. And as I said, they decided to get me out of the squad and send back to Cuba. That's when I decided to escape and my immigration status and (develop) my plans to leave Nicaragua. I can not tell you anything.
His conception of the Cuban project
Cuba is a prison in the sea, where there is no possibility to speak or criticize the errors of the system in order to improve our diminished economy. The Cuban Revolution is a project that is good in its essence, but has been distorted by those in power.
In what ways have distorted?
The essence of the Cuban Revolution was the eradication of a class system where private enterprise was the owner of the means of production, and was intended to achieve equal access to education and health. But what we have today is far from the dream of men like José Martí and Che Guevara. Our media is non-functional because they are controlled by the government, we have no access to internet or international news and achievements of the government have deteriorated.
Why?
Because in these 51 years we have experienced a loss of values, a profound impairment of health systems and education. Cuba is bleeding. Our young people are migrating to other countries in boats, tires, rafts and even the landing gear of airplanes. Seek out employment contracts, marry foreigners or use the International Brigades, concerts and sports tournaments to seek new opportunities in other countries. And as time passes, Cuban society ages, increasing life expectancy, but we lose our workforce stronger and more productive.
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