I-Witness Exclusive

Venezuela delegation comes to Milwaukee on a mission of goodwill and cooperation

Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez (left) and Alderman Mike McGee, Jr. chat with one of the staff members of M L K Heritage Health Center on King Drive. Ambassador Alvarez and a delegation of Venezuelans were in Milwaukee on a mission of goodwill and to explore the possibility of making the Venezuelan City of Carora a sister city to Milwaukee. During the visit to the health center, the delegation talked to officials about the state of Black health in Milwaukee and the U.S., as well as the advances in medical procedures in Venezuela. (photo by Barbara White)

by Barbara White
Venezuela’s Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez recently visited Milwaukee and toured several central city medical facilities with Milwaukee Alderman Mike McGee, Jr. The visit was a mission of goodwill between Milwaukee and the Venezuelan City Carora as part of a proposed sister city arrangement.

A reception was held in honor of Ambassador Alvarez and his delegation in the Common Council chambers at city hall.

The ambassador and his delegation came at the invitation of McGee. "I contacted the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez Frias because he is a revolutionary.

"President Frias is part African and when I look at his background it’s very similar to ours (Black People) in America.

"I had read and heard about the struggles of poor Venezuelans under the oppressed system (that was in place) before Hugo Chavez became president.

"Black people in America are in that same kind of struggle. President Chavez responded to my contact and stated that the Venezuelan ambassador would like to visit Milwaukee. Venezuela has a lot in common with African Americans and perhaps has a lot to offer to assist us in opportunities."

This is the first time in 10 years that Milwaukee is establishing a sister city.

Venezuela is an oil-rich, Latin speaking South American Country whose population is 45% Black.

In recent years the country has increased its literacy rate, improved living conditions and healthcare under President Chavez, who has also reached out to other nations in and outside of Latin America to assist the poor and other oppressed people with social programs, such as the free eye surgery for the poor and assistance with heating bills. Venezuela owns Citigo Oil in America and is one of the largest oil producing countries in the world.

The delegation from Venezuela included Ambassador Alvarez; Omar Sierra, the consul general and number two man in America out of Chicago; Martin E. Sanchez, consul de primera; Edward A. Mercado, the Venezuela embassy communication coordinator out of Washington, D.C. and Rixio Barrios, coordinator of the Bolivian Circle of Cincinnati.

Ambassador Alvarez met many city officials including Mayor Tom Barrett, who showed an interest in the humanitarian assistance the ambassador offered.

I-Witness spoke with Consul General Omar Sierra, 32, who informed me that, young people in Venezuela get involved in politics at an early age.

Asked if he was aware of Milwaukee’s racial problems and its reputation around the nation as one of the most segregated cities in the nation, Sierra laughed and asked if I was kidding.

"Milwaukee cannot be racist. Why don’t I see any Black people being beaten or killed in the streets by your government."

Sierra then said he understood the question, adding race plays a part in his country as well. He added the elite in Venezuela--via the media--would only show those Venezuelans with light skin and long hair.

"They (the images) don’t reflect real life in Venezuela or Venezuelans. Therefore, the elite claim they can’t understand what racism and opposition is either."

Redirecting the conversation to medical issues, Sierra emphasized his countries success in the area of eye care with the assistance from Cuban President Fidel Castro.

The free eye surgery program, called "Mission Miracle" can benefit poor people in America who have been diagnosed with cataracts or pterygium and cannot afford surgery.

"We fly them to Venezuela free of charge to undergo surgery at specialized medical centers," Sierra said, adding the program is sponsored by the state-run oil company, Citigo.

"It’s our way of thanking Americans for their support of Citigo," Sierra said.

I-Witness traveled with Alderman McGee and the Venezuelan delegation to the MLK Heritage Health Center on King Drive where its community relations manager, Crystal Logan of Milwaukee Health Services, Inc., which runs the health center, greeted us.

The delegation was given a tour of the facilities and told about its history. The delegation went to every department at the health center, from eye care to the department that specializes in women’s health. We met many of the doctors who service the clinic. Many MLK clients were glad to see Alderman McGee, greeting him with either handshakes or big hugs.

Some men even started to chant "Mike McGee for mayor."

C.C. Henderson, president and CEO of Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. joined the tour and chatted with the alderman and the delegation about not only MLK Heritage Health Center but about the Venezuelans "Mission Miracle" Program that they would like to seek an U.S. medical center to collaborate with.

Sierra stated his country looked at various countries and the way they dealt with health care. They had learned of the good things going on health-wise in Cuba.

Sierra said after Chavez was elected president, he doubled the healthcare budget.

"We benefit from the healthcare system for the less fortunate because they build the clinics in the shanty areas, thus learning skills. The doctors go to live in the shanties every six months to take care of the people to make them healthy.

Henderson and Alveraz talked at length and in great detail about both the MLK facilities and the Miracle programs, as well as what it takes to do business.

Sierra was quite impressed with the MLK Health Center.

He stated one of the reasons Milwaukee and Chicago had been chosen was because of the sister city relationships with the two cities and Venezuela. He also stated that the initiative would be extended to more cities in the U.S. Thus far, more than 17, 000 people from 24 Latin American and Caribbean countries have traveled to Venezuela to under go the surgery.

Sierra stated that more information would be forth coming and CEO Henderson showed a real interest in perhaps a partnership.

The day concluded with a reception for the delegation at the Institute of World Affairs and Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at UW-Milwaukee.