Amarilys Katia Díaz Presilla (30 years old), Eufemio Reyes Calderín (33 years old), and Ariel Villaverde (33 years old) are physicians in the Province of Santiago de Cuba. The three of them have Visas to travel to the United States obtained through the Lottery Visa System and they also have in common separation in their marriages because their respective partners have already left ahead of them for the United States. In Ariel's case his daughter has also left Cuba.

Amarilys said good-bye to her husband on May 12, 2000. He won the Lottery Visa and since November 23, 1999 they have been talking all the necessary steps to leave. She wrote to all the people she considered had anything to do with the problems. She included Felipe Pérez Roque, Minister of Foreign Relations, who did not respond. She addressed him since she found out that Mr. Perez Roque had intervened in the case of a colleague of hers married to a Dutchman. This doctor was pregnant and finally with the help of Holland's Minister of Foreign Relations as well, and after great anguish, she was able to leave Cuba.

On September 5, 2000 the three of them were detained in Ullao, an area approximately 30 Kms. from the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo. That zone is known as the third ring. After remaining in detention at the seat of State Security in the town of Monte Sano for one week, they were given a fine of $4,000 (four thousands pesos) each, and remain waiting a trial for the charge of intent to leave the country illegally.

Also detained was Jose Ernesto Laherran, who remains in Monte Sano accused of illegal traffic of migrants because he was considered to be the group's guide.

When State Security took Dr. Diez back to her home, the officers treated her as a common criminal, threatening her with the fact that if she did not behave well, she would have to wait for her trial on the street.

HOPELESSNESS AND DESPERATION LED THESE DOCTORS TO A SITUATION IN WHICH THEY MUST NOW CONFRONT A TRIAL.


Source: Telephone conversation with Mrs. Amarilys Presilla, mother of Dr. Amarilys Diez, with the help of Dr. Rodriguez Noa from the Pro Human Rights Civic Christian Movement Homeland Independence and Freedom. Conversation with Dr. Pedro Pacheco, Vice-president of the Independent Medical Association in Santiago de Cuba. Article from CubaNet, September 7, 2000. www.cubanet.org