By Chris Gaither And Sandra Marquez Garcia. smarquez@herald.com. Published Tuesday, August 8, 2000, in the Miami Herald.
Noris Peña Martínez and Leonel Córdova Rodríguez walked off a jet from New York City on Monday night -- and stepped into a new life as members of Miami's Cuban exile community.
Looking exuberant after their 20-hour journey from Sweden, the two Cuban medical workers who were abducted and jailed after requesting political asylum in Zimbabwe said imagining their arrival in Miami had kept them going during 32 days in confinement.
"It was very exhausting but very exciting, too,'' Córdova said of the journey. Asked about their immediate plans, he said: "Not only to have this moment to enjoy but to have liberty for Cuba. We have to work for that.''
Peña stepped off the plane dressed in a black jacket and red bell-bottom pants. "As a product of the new generations coming out of Cuba, and as a doctor or professional, I felt like a slave of the Cuban state. I have defected, seeking freedom, just as the majority of the young
professionals in Cuba would like to enjoy in a free and democratic Cuba.''
Well-wishers, including relatives, friends and strangers, packed an arrivals hall at Miami International Airport to extend a heroes' welcome to the two medical workers. The crowd carried bouquets of red roses, Cuban flags and a sign reading "Welcome Doctors.''
Exiles sang the Cuban national anthem during the emotional gathering, reveling in the knowledge that the two defied an ultimatum by Fidel Castro. The Cuban president had attempted to steer the two medical workers anywhere but the United States.
Fidel Ferreiro, 24, a childhood pal of Peña's from her hometown in Camagüey, Cuba, recalls dancing with her at her 15th birthday party and studying with her most nights from grade school to high school.
"I can't believe that we will be together again after so long and everything that she has been through,'' Ferreiro said.
Alfredo Hevia, 31, and his wife defected from the Cuban medical mission in South Africa a year ago. Hevia attended medical school with Córdova.
"He has achieved something that he wanted,'' Hevia said. "He was at great risk of losing his life. I know Africa, and I understand the risk of being woken up by night with a machine gun.''
One person absent from the arrival hall was U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, who led the effort in Washington to admit the two doctors to the United States.
In a telephone call from West Virginia, where she is on a camping trip with her family, Ros-Lehtinen said her office has two goals to continue helping the doctors.
"First is legalizing their immigration status so they are able to become residents quickly and then U.S. citizens if they so desire,'' she said. "And secondly is to get them certified so they are able to practice medicine in Florida.''
Associated Press writer Patrick Reyna contributed to this report.
Copyright 2000 Miami Herald | 