Members of the Cuban medical team defect in Chile

Around 500 Cuban doctors working in the program "Barrio Adentro" already defected in Venezuela

Two Cuban doctors and an anesthesiologist, members of the Henry Reeve Cuban Emergency Medical Brigade sent to Chile to help after a Feb. 27 earthquake, have decided to stay in the South American country.

Cuban Ambassador Ileana Diaz-Arguelles has confirmed the defections to Cooperativa radio station, saying it was the trio's personal decision. She says that "there are people who value material questions more."

The leader of the Cuban dissident community in Chile, Mikail Bonito, says he has been informed of the situation but hasn't had contact with the three.

Local media reported Friday that one of the doctors and the anesthesiologist worked in a field hospital in Rancagua, while the third worked in Chillan.

The magnitude-8.8 quake killed 521 people and caused $30 billion in damage.
Henry Reeve Cuban Emergency Medical Brigade

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