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The Cuban doctor Alexander Raúl Pupo Casas announced this Saturday that he has decided to pursue a military career in the U.S.
“Last weekend in Florida. Starting Monday, I will begin my military career in this wonderful country that has given me more than a dream, a worthy reality,” he announced on Facebook.
Pupo hopes that "hopefully, what I learn can someday be used to free my loved ones over there... God Bless America."
While he was in Cuba, Alexander Pupo was a strong critic of the public health system and often denounced the mismanagement of hospitals online, an attitude that led to his dismissal from his job.
In 2022, he and his colleague Alexander Jesús Figueredo Izaguirre decided to leave the country and finally arrived in the United States at the end of July after several weeks of a challenging journey through Central America and Mexico.
Less than a month later, he was already able to buy a car.
"Twenty-one days of work in a free country, as a simple worker, have given me what I would not have had in 30 years working as a doctor in a slave country," he wrote.
In November of that year, the doctor revealed that he was working loading boxes at a staffing in Florida, where he earned "about 50 times what he was paid in Cuba."
"In two or three months, I will have the things I could never have in Cuba. I hope to practice medicine again, because that's what I've been preparing for. And I have everything I need..." he said.
Pupo always made it clear that he was studying to return to practicing medicine.
My white coat, I hope to recover it soon, but if that is not possible, I will take pride in being a man of the law..., he emphasized on one occasion.
"No matter how long the road is, you are your own engine and your own barrier. Medicine, I'm coming for you," she wrote on Facebook, along with a picture of herself studying on the computer.
Since arriving in the United States, life has smiled upon the Cuban doctor, who in July of last year welcomed his little Alessandra, an event that made him feel “an indescribable and complete joy” for the first time in a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Military Career of Cuban Doctors in the U.S. and the Migration Context
Why did the Cuban doctor Alexander Raúl Pupo Casas decide to join the U.S. Army?
Alexander Raúl Pupo Casas decided to join the U.S. Army to start a new career in a country that has provided him with opportunities he did not have in Cuba. On his social media, he expressed his hope that one day what he learns in the army can help free his homeland. His decision also reflects an act of gratitude towards the United States, where he has experienced a significant improvement in his quality of life, compared to the restrictions and limitations he faced in Cuba.
What difficulties do Cuban doctors face when emigrating to the United States?
Cuban doctors face significant challenges when emigrating to the United States, including the recognition of their degrees and obtaining legal immigration status. Many, such as Alexander Pupo and Alexander Jesús Figueredo Izaguirre, have had to work in jobs unrelated to their profession while they seek to regularize their situation. Additionally, they face the constant threat of deportation, particularly with recent immigration policies that impact those who do not have a clear path to legalization.
What has been the experience of Alexander Pupo and other Cuban doctors in the U.S.?
The experience of Alexander Pupo and other Cuban doctors in the U.S. has been transformative, providing them with a more dignified life and job opportunities that they did not have in Cuba. Despite initial challenges, they have managed to acquire assets and improve their quality of life in a short period. Pupo, for instance, was able to buy a car after just 21 days of working in the United States, something he considered impossible in Cuba after 30 years of professional practice. His story reflects the contrast between the limitations in Cuba and the freedom they find in the United States.
What is the current situation of Cuban doctors in the United States regarding the Cuban regime?
Cuban doctors in the United States continue to be critical of the Cuban regime and face consequences for their activism. Alexander Jesús Figueredo Izaguirre, for example, has openly denounced the government's policies and the malpractice within the healthcare system. His critical stance has led to his disqualification from practicing in Cuba, and although he now resides in the U.S., he continues to confront adversity due to his political views, reflecting a constant struggle for rights and the truth about the Cuban situation.
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