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