On Saturday, the death of Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti, a Cuban doctor serving as the health director in the municipality of Carrizal, Miranda state, Venezuela, was confirmed. He succumbed to a heart attack. Local media reports indicate that Dupré dedicated his recent years to providing medical care in the South American nation as part of the collaboration program between Cuba and Venezuela.
Since 2021, Dupré had held the position of Health Director at the Carrizal mayor's office. "With great sadness, I announce that today, Saturday, January 4th, our friend and colleague Jorge Luis Dupré, who served as the health director of the municipality, has passed away," said Mayor José Morales.
Dupré first arrived in Venezuela in 2003. According to Diario Avance, he had built his career at a clinic near the El Paso Municipal Market, a place he often visited on Sundays to shop and greet friends. In an interview with the same outlet last year, Dupré expressed, "Where you are treated well, that is your home. Your birthplace doesn't necessarily bind you; it's where you are valued as a person and professional, and that's how I've been made to feel in this country."
His passing has caused sorrow among colleagues and locals, who have expressed gratitude and respect for his work. Local leader José Luis Rodríguez shared his condolences on Facebook: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti, an esteemed doctor, neighbor, and public servant in Altos Mirandinos. To his family and friends, our heartfelt condolences for this irreplaceable loss."
Challenges Faced by Cuban Doctors in Venezuela
The involvement of Cuban doctors in international missions in Venezuela has been fraught with challenges and tragic events, resulting in the loss of several professionals. In May 2021, reports surfaced about multiple suicides among Cuban doctors in Venezuela, as well as deaths from treatable illnesses. These professionals faced difficult working conditions, constant stress, and poor nutrition, exacerbated by the country's economic crisis and hyperinflation.
Another significant incident occurred in June 2023, when a young Cuban doctor died after returning from her mission in Venezuela. During her stay, she suffered a fatal illness triggered by an insect bite, leaving behind a young daughter in Cuba. This incident drew considerable attention due to its tragic nature.
In October 2023, Yamislai Bueno Soler, a 32-year-old Cuban doctor, lost her life in a tragic car accident on the El Vigía-Santa Bárbara de Zulia highway. The vehicle she was in collided head-on with a truck, injuring five others, including four Cubans. This accident highlighted the risks faced by these professionals during their missions.
Additionally, in April 2021, Onilber Aguilera, a 44-year-old Cuban engineer working as the head of Medical Support in Carabobo state, died of a heart attack associated with respiratory complications while on his mission. More broadly, in April 2010, Cuba's Deputy Health Minister, Joaquín García, acknowledged that 69 Cuban doctors had died in Venezuela over a seven-year period while working in vulnerable communities.
Key Insights into Cuban Medical Missions in Venezuela
What was Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti's role in Venezuela?
Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti served as the health director in the municipality of Carrizal, Miranda state, Venezuela, as part of the collaboration program between Cuba and Venezuela.
What challenges do Cuban doctors face during their missions in Venezuela?
Cuban doctors face difficult working conditions, constant stress, and poor nutrition, exacerbated by Venezuela's economic crisis and hyperinflation, leading to tragic incidents and deaths.
How has the Cuban medical mission in Venezuela been affected by tragedies?
The Cuban medical mission in Venezuela has experienced several tragedies, including suicides, deaths from treatable illnesses, and fatal accidents, highlighting the risks involved in these missions.