The doctor and human rights advocate Lucio Enríquez Nodarse urged Senator Marco Rubio to reactivate the Parole program for Cuban healthcare professionals, arguing that it is "the only truly effective measure" to protect them from systematic exploitation in the so-called international medical missions organized by the Havana regime.
In a letter addressed to Rubio via Facebook, the physician highlighted the senator's work in denouncing these practices, while also alerting about the continuation of control and exploitation mechanisms over doctors.
One of the examples mentioned in the letter is the recent implementation of direct payment to medical collaborators in The Bahamas, a measure that, according to the doctor, has already been implemented in other countries without achieving any real change.
"The Cuban dictatorship, after receiving direct payment, forces doctors to transfer a high percentage of their income to an account managed by the regime itself. Those who refuse to do so are expelled from the mission," Enríquez points out.
Additionally, it denounces that those who abandon these missions or are expelled face immediate reprisals, such as being unable to practice in the host country, due to the pressure exerted by the Cuban government on local authorities.
In light of this situation, the doctor believes that the only real way to provide protection is to reactivate the Parole Program, which was suspended during the Obama administration and offered a legal entry pathway to the United States for Cuban doctors who defected during their missions in third countries.
“The reactivation of this program would allow many professionals a true liberation from the chains of slavery,” Enríquez states in his petition.
The Parole Program for Cuban medical professionals was a mechanism established by the U.S. government in 2006 and discontinued in 2017.
Various human rights organizations have advocated for their restitution, following reports that Cuban medical missions represent a modern form of covert labor trafficking.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Parole Program for Cuban Doctors
What is the Parole Program for Cuban doctors?
The Parole Program for Cuban doctors was a mechanism created by the United States government in 2006 that allowed Cuban doctors who defected from missions in third countries to obtain a legal pathway to enter the United States. It was canceled in 2017 during the Obama administration.
Why is the reactivation of the Parole Program being requested?
Dr. Lucio Enríquez Nodarse and organizations like Solidaridad Sin Fronteras believe that the reactivation of the Parole Program is “the only effective measure” to protect Cuban doctors from exploitation in the international medical missions organized by the Cuban government. They argue that the program provides a legal and safe exit for these professionals.
How does the Cuban regime affect doctors on international missions?
Cuban doctors on international missions are subjected to abusive working conditions, as they are required to hand over a significant portion of their income to the Cuban government, face movement restrictions and surveillance, and have their passports withheld. If they abandon the missions, they may face reprisals such as being barred from returning to Cuba for years.
What has been Marco Rubio's response to these requests?
So far, Senator Marco Rubio has not publicly responded to the request to reactivate the Parole Program for Cuban doctors. However, he has described Cuban medical missions as an "outrageous practice" and has taken action in his capacity as Secretary of State, such as imposing visa restrictions on officials from countries that collaborate with the Cuban regime in these practices.
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