With nearly three decades dedicated to public health, multiple internationalist missions, and repeated requests for permission for permanent exit from the country, the Camagüeyan doctor José Manuel Suárez Villalobos continues to fight for his right to leave Cuba and reunite with his family abroad.
In a video published on TikTok by Cubanos por el Mundo, Suárez Villalobos, a surgeon at the Armando Enrique Cardoso hospital in the municipality of Guáimaro, Camagüey province, expressed his outrage at the restrictions imposed by the Cuban government on healthcare professionals.
"I am addressing all relevant authorities through this medium, requesting justice and freedom for myself," he stated.
The doctor, born on January 12, 1972, criticized the ministerial regulations that restrict the mobility of Cuban doctors, preventing them from traveling freely or visiting their relatives. “I demand my freedom. I have 28 years of experience in the health sector, including three internationalist missions. On five occasions, I have requested permission to live with my children and meet my grandchildren, and it has always been denied to me,” he expressed with frustration.
Suárez made it clear that he believes he has fulfilled his commitment to the country and questioned the legitimacy of the restrictions he faces: “I believe that 28 years of work in the healthcare sector is more than enough to have fulfilled my duty. I don’t think I owe anything to anyone, and I demand my freedom,” he concluded.
Suárez's case reflects the situation of many Cuban doctors who, after years of service in the public health system and participation in internationalist missions, find themselves trapped by strict regulations that deprive them of their right to decide about their lives and future.
In May, Suárez told journalist Javier Díaz: “How long do I have to suffer the consequences of becoming a specialist doctor?” he expressed indignantly, reflecting the feelings of many colleagues who are forced by the regime to work under precarious conditions, denying them the possibility of leaving the island.
The physician, who graduated from the University of Medical Sciences in Camagüey in 1996, turned to Díaz in a gesture of desperation for the world to know about the violation of his freedoms, including the right to enter and leave his native country freely.
Suárez reported that he worked on three internationalist missions for a salary of 20 USD per month, and sometimes less, since in Venezuela he earned 225 CUC monthly, which barely covered his basic needs.
"I believe I have contributed to the country, and if I still owe something, it should not be a reason for such an unjust punishment," said the specialist who is trapped on the island, seeing his loved ones, including children and grandchildren, only through the screen of a phone.
The physician reported that he has requested multiple times to be released from “the regulations or restrictions that prevent me from obtaining a passport and traveling like any other Cuban citizen, and I have been denied this despite not being essential at my hospital or in the municipality where I live.”
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of Doctors in Cuba
Why can't doctor José Manuel Suárez Villalobos leave Cuba?
José Manuel Suárez Villalobos cannot leave Cuba due to ministerial regulations that restrict the mobility of healthcare professionals, preventing them from traveling freely abroad. Despite his years of service and international missions, his requests to leave the country have been repeatedly denied by the Cuban government.
What is the general situation of Cuban doctors within the healthcare system?
Cuban doctors face precarious working conditions, low wages, and a lack of necessary resources to care for patients. Additionally, they are subject to travel restrictions, which limits their freedom of movement and affects their quality of life. This situation is part of a broader crisis affecting the Cuban healthcare system, characterized by a shortage of medications and basic supplies.
How has the Cuban government reacted to doctors' requests to leave the country?
The Cuban government has been inflexible in response to doctors' requests to leave the country, applying strict regulations that limit their mobility. While the government publicly praises doctors, in practice it imposes severe restrictions, keeping them in a state of virtual "professional slavery" by not allowing them to reunite with their families or seek better opportunities abroad.
What impact does the situation of doctors have on the Cuban population?
The situation of Cuban doctors directly affects the population, as the lack of qualified medical personnel and adequate resources limits access to quality healthcare. The shortage of medications and poor hospital infrastructure exacerbate this issue, leaving many citizens in conditions of health vulnerability.
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