Caracas, Feb. 17 (Bloomberg) -- A third Cuban doctor, part of a 64-member Cuban medical relief team that came to Venezuela after December's devastating floods, defected and is requesting political asylum, posing new problems for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his policy of improving ties with Cuba, El Nacional reported. Griselia Alonso Palmero defected, becoming the first woman to leave the relief mission; two previous defectors were granted one-year visas. Alonso Palmero said she made her decision because she faced discrimination back home because she isn't a member of the Communist Party.

Chavez has come under fire from critics for his close relationship with Cuban President Fidel Castro especially since September when Venezuela said it would supply the Caribbean country with oil in spite of the U.S. trade embargo.

(EN 2/17 D1; Web site: http.//www.el-nacional.com)

Feb/17/2000 8:20

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