In a direct and public confrontation, Cuban doctors residing in Spain approached the Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities, Diana Morant, on the streets to demand faster processing of their professional qualifications. This marks the first time the minister has faced these professionals from Cuba, who have been protesting for months about bureaucratic delays. Morant, however, denied any form of discrimination, although the Cuban medical professionals pointed out that applications from as far back as 2020 and 2023 remain unresolved, while their counterparts from countries like Colombia and Argentina have experienced quicker processing.
One Cuban doctor highlighted to the minister that statistics clearly show a slowdown affecting specifically Cuban applications since September 2023, while other nationalities continue to progress. She emphasized that the delay has put the lives of hundreds of Cuban doctors on hold, with some waiting for years. "We are not making distinctions between Cubans, Colombians, Chileans, honestly," Morant insisted to the group of Cuban professionals during the Ibero-American conferences on Science, Technology, Innovation, and Higher Education, part of the XXIX Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government held on October 10 and 11 in Valencia.
A video circulating on social media captured the moment when the doctors demanded explanations from Morant, just two days after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez pledged to expedite the homologation process for foreign professionals wishing to work in Spain. Morant acknowledged shortcomings in the current system, stating, "We are not doing our job well," and promised improvements, committing her ministry to devise a more efficient approach.
She mentioned that discussions are ongoing with countries that issue these qualifications to resolve the situation. "If it were resolved, we wouldn't be having this discussion or drafting a roadmap, but we are committed to finding a solution," she assured. Morant concluded with an emphasis on the need for these professionals in Spain, declaring, "This country needs you. We need you to work in your professions." Additionally, she promised to prioritize the homologation of those already in Spain to prevent them from falling into irregular immigration status due to procedural delays.