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Cuban dissident allowed to travel Cuba dissident flies to Argentina
(about 17 hours later)
A leading Cuban dissident has been told she can travel to Argentina to visit her relatives after years of being refused permission. A leading Cuban dissident who for years was refused permission to visit relatives abroad has flown to Argentina after authorities relented.
Neurosurgeon Hilda Molina, 66, had been fighting Fidel Castro's government since 1994 for the right to visit her mother, son and two grandchildren. Neurosurgeon Hilda Molina, 66, broke into tears at Havana airport ahead of her visit to her ailing 90-year-old mother and her grandchildren.
In 2008 she asked Argentine President Cristina Fernandez to intercede on her behalf as her mother was so ill. Dr Molina has been fighting Fidel Castro's government since 1994 for the right to visit.
Dr Molina broke with Castro in 1994 in a row over the country's health system. In 2008 she asked Argentine President Cristina Fernandez to intercede.
Broke ranks Dr Molina broke with Fidel Castro in 1994 in a row over the country's health system.
"It was a surprise," Ms Molina told the Associated Press (AP) in an interview at her home in the Cuban capital Havana. 'Family rights'
She was to fly to the Argentine capital Buenos Aires on Saturday. She has a permit to stay out of Cuba for three months, the Reuters news agency reported. Dr Molina was given permission to visit on Friday and a day later had the necessary travel papers.
"I think things will only change in this regard when no-one has to ask for permission to leave Cuba," Dr Molina told the agency. An emotional Dr Molina said at Havana airport: "It's too much. The children, my son whom I haven't seen in 15 years, the grandchildren I've never met and my mother who is ill."
Dr Molina, one of the country's leading neurosurgeons, broke ranks with the government in 1994 over the ethics of stem cell treatment for conditions such as Parkinson's Disease. It is not known whether Dr Molina will return to Cuba.
As she departed she urged other dissidents to "ask for their rights, like I did".
"They mustn't remain silent," Associated Press news agency quoted her as saying. "They don't have to create problems, just simply claim their family rights, which is something so basic and simple."
Dr Molina broke ranks with the government over the ethics of stem cell treatment for conditions such as Parkinson's Disease.
She also criticised the country's socialised health care system, saying Cuba was offering superior treatments to foreign, fee-paying patients.She also criticised the country's socialised health care system, saying Cuba was offering superior treatments to foreign, fee-paying patients.
Her son, Roberto Quinones, moved to Argentina in 1994 with his wife. The couple have two children Ms Molina has never met. Her son, Roberto Quinones, moved to Argentina in 1994 with his wife. The couple have two children.
Her mother, Hilda Morejon, was given permission to move to Argentina several months ago.Her mother, Hilda Morejon, was given permission to move to Argentina several months ago.
Fidel Castro's brother Raul took over as Cuba's official head of state last year.Fidel Castro's brother Raul took over as Cuba's official head of state last year.