ILL DISSIDENT LEADER ANTUNEZ MAY SEEK MEDICAL CARE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HAVANA 001087 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2017 TAGS: CU PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SUBJECT: ILL DISSIDENT LEADER ANTUNEZ MAY SEEK MEDICAL CARE ABROAD REF: HAVANA 1081 HAVANA 00001087 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: COM: Michael E. Parmly: For reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Further to Reftel, dissident figure Jorge Luis Garcia Perez ("Antunez") checked himself out of the hospital in Placetas (Villa Clara). He then traveled to Havana and several prominent dissidents asked GOC state security on 20 November for a commitment to provide quality medical care, but hold out little hope of obtaining it. They intend to wait for 48 hours until 22 November for a response before seeking treatment abroad. Antunez is weighing options in the Dominican Republic, Spain, the US and Canada. His plan would be to seek a temporary exit visa for three months and then to return to Cuba. End Summary. ¶2. (C) COM and POL officer on 20 November spoke with Antunez in the home of well known dissident leader Martha Beatriz Roque. Also present were Antunez's close associates, independent journalist Guillermo "Coco" Farinas and opposition member Martes Antonio Valdes. Antunez, normally one of Cuba's most energetic and dynamic opposition figures, appeared extremely fatigued. He agreed with the assessment of MBR and Farinas that Antunez had probably suffered "a silent heart attack", a cardiac episode not preceded by chest pain, when he lost consciousness in a vehicle on 16 November (Reftel). He stated that the hospital in Placetas in the province of Villa Clara was very dirty and he preferred to leave before medical tests were completed to seek care in Havana. Antunez said that while in the hospital his blood pressure had been fluctuating dramatically. ¶3. (C) Flanked by MBR, Farinas, Valdes and two other leading activists, Francisco Chaviano and Vladimiro Roca, Antunez on 20 November went to Villa Marista, state security headquarters. MBR advocated that Antunez be placed in a quality medical facility such as is available to tourists. Antunez described the Ministy of Interior officials with whom the group spoke as "respectful" and "responsive." He plans to wait 48 hours for a response. ¶4. (C) In any case Antunez said he is skeptical about whether he would receive proper care in Cuba. Antunez is already exploring possibilities of receiving care abroad in case the government makes a negative response. He has enlisted the help of Gustavo Pardo, who is active in the Masonic Order in Cuba and has many contacts in the medical community off the island. He has what he considers a firm offer of receiving treatment in the Dominican Republic with all expenses paid. He also believes that the President of the Dominican Republic, scheduled to visit Cuba next month, would intercede on his behalf. Antunez would prefer, due to the personal contacts, treatment in the DR, but he and his associates have also made requests at the Spanish and Canadian Embassies about the possibility of receiving medical treatment in those countries. ¶5. (C) Antunez and Farinas both believe that if the regime did grant him a "temporary permission to leave" due to medical reasons, the government would permit him to return to Cuba. He firmly stated that he would not leave the island without such assurance. He asked COM whether the US would grant a visa for him to have diagnosis and treatment in the US, probably in Florida, for three months. COM expressed confidence that, recognizing Antunez's commitment to bringing democracy to Cuba, the US government would act swiftly to address his case. Antunez will be staying in Havana at the home of his colleague Carlos Cordero Paez, who belongs to the Movimiento Presidio Politico Pedro Luis Boitel, the same opposition organization as Antunez, and has promised to stay in close touch with us. HAVANA 00001087 002.2 OF 002 ¶5. (C) Comment and Action Request: We were impressed by Antunez's physical and emotional state. Usually dynamic, on 20 November he showed real fatigue. More importantly the normally aggressive and determined opposition leader was ready to get medical help. Antunez is indeed one of the most fearless and active of all opposition leaders in Cuba. Post would appreciate Department exploring to how to expedite and finance travel to the US for appropriate medical care should this prove the best option. MBR and Antunez mentioned the Miami contact of Dr. Alzugaray as one possible avenue. PARMLY