Cuban medical personnel currently in Luanda, Angola, have alleged that the Cuban government celebrated Christmas without properly compensating them, according to a report from 14 years old Medio.
These medical workers, often referred to as “slave doctors,” accused the organization responsible for their payments of essentially “stealing” their due earnings in U.S. dollars. “We don’t want cryptocurrencies. They’re misleading us,” they expressed during a tense two-hour discussion in Luanda.
For many years, the Castro government has established “medical mission” agreements with various nations, deploying thousands of these doctors to provide healthcare services. In return, they receive only a small fraction of what would typically be paid, with the majority of their earnings siphoned off by the communist regime.
This “Medical Mission” initiative is one of the key financial lifelines for the Castro government, which utilizes the funds to sustain its oppressive regime back home. These doctors face harsh working conditions and strict oversight, and those who attempt to leave the program often face imprisonment and a prohibition on returning to Cuba for at least eight years.
The touted “success” of the health program has come under intense scrutiny, as many former slave doctors have shared testimonies about treating fictitious patients, discarding medications, and manipulating statistics to create an illusion of high productivity.
According to 14 years old Medio and other Cuba-oriented publications, Angola has been a significant destination for Cuban doctors, serving as a vital source of income for the regime.
Angola is known for its stringent control over Cuban doctors. A leaked contract has revealed that the employment agreements include many restrictive terms, such as withholding pay, confiscating passports, and mandating political loyalty to the regime.
As with other medical mission contracts, the arrangement in Angola falls under Antex, a subsidiary of the Cuban military conglomerate GAESA. The report indicated that many doctors spent December without even receiving minimal wages or any assurances for a potential holiday return to Cuba.
Reportedly, while the contract states a monthly salary of $950, each doctor ultimately sees only about $200 in Angolan Kwanzaa due to a transfer rate controlled by Antex, with the rest being placed in a bank account that Antex can use for various reasons.
“Christmas will be a bit rough this year,” shared a Cuban doctor in Angola. “At Antex, payments are usually delayed. Previously, we had to wait about 20 days for our checks, but those days seem to be far behind us.”
Another anonymous doctor corroborated this, mentioning that doctors typically receive just $200 each month, and Antex recently suggested they might be able to pay only half that, later claiming the amount could drop to $50.
“If that’s the case, then they should at least ensure I have a meal for New Year’s Eve, though I highly doubt that will happen,” the doctor remarked.
The comments from this doctor reflect broader complaints about late payments, lack of transparency regarding deductions, and obstacles to getting leave. The situation seems to be worsening amidst rising inflation, increasing food prices, and diminishing purchasing power.
The report also stressed that persistent delays for travel between Cuba and Angola exacerbate the financial uncertainty for these doctors. A number of them were expected to return home between August and September, but that schedule has significantly unraveled.
This has resulted in many doctors remaining in Angola for over 15 months without a clear end in sight, essentially extending their contracts involuntarily. However, one doctor pointed out, “Managers always manage to retire on schedule.”
“These challenges impact more than just finances. Many viewed their mission in Angola as a chance to boost their income and support their families in Cuba,” noted a doctor.
“But with unpaid wages and travel limitations, those dreams have turned into disappointments. Christmas carries a symbolic weight that highlights feelings of neglect,” the report stated. “Lacking cash and assurance of reciprocity makes even simple actions, like buying gifts or preparing festive meals, incredibly difficult.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. State Department imposed visa restrictions on officials from the Cuban regime and other nations involved in this medical program, a move that the Cuban government later denounced as discriminatory.
