INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Repatriation Request: Marcelo Fabian Aldas

Published: Tue 23 Feb 2010 08:14 PM
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O R 232014Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1088
INFO RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO
UNCLAS QUITO 000212
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
CA/OCS/WHA FOR WILLIAM HURST
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CA/EX/RES
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ISS/USA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC AFIN SSA
SUBJECT: Repatriation Request: Marcelo Fabian Aldas
1. NAME AND DPOB: Marcelo Fabian Aldas
2. DPOB: September 23, 1943; Carchi, Ecuador
3. PASSPORT DATA: 016421071 issued on February 29, 2000; Full
Validity
4. PERSONS TO CONTACT: Carmela Burbano, wife, 703-431-8090
5. POST ACTION TO DATE: ConOff has extensively liaised with Mr.
Aldas' sisters and wife, as well as with the hospital and clinic
where Mr. Aldas has been treated, to monitor this elderly AmCit's
medical condition. Due to long-standing disagreement between Aldas'
relatives, ConOff and FBU representative have visited elder care
facilities in the Quito area to assess suitability for Aldas. When
no affordable alternative was encountered, ACS Quito reached out to
OCS for further assistance locating a facility in the United States
(preferably near his wife's residence in Northern Virginia). ConOff
has continued attempts to resolve complications with the payment of
Social Security benefits.
6. PRIVACY ACT AUTHORIZATION: Aldas was diagnosed with Alzheimer's
disease in 2001 and is not in a mental state to give consent. At
this time, next-of-kin Carmela Burbano has legal authority to make
decisions on his behalf.
7. ASSISTANCE REQUIRED: Post requests that the Department
coordinate with HHS/ISS to locate an elder care facility that
provides 24 hour care. Specific HHS assistance detailed in
paragraph 9.
8. RETURN PLANS: As soon as possible.
9. HHS ASSISTANCE: U.S. Embassy in Quito requests the assistance of
HHS for placement in a care facility in the United States near Mr.
Aldas' family in the Northern Virginia Area. Upon location of a
facility, the Embassy will coordinate his repatriation to the
United States with medical escort. The Embassy also requests that
HHS provide a medical escort between U.S. gateway (Miami) and final
destination (Washington, DC area). Upon arrival in the U.S., Aldas
and a medical escort should be met by ISS and taken to final
destination.
10. DATE DEPARTED FROM U.S.: Unknown
11. LAST PLACE OF U.S. LEGAL RESIDENCE: Leesburg, VA
12. U.S. DESTINATION: Northern Virginia Area; Reston, Leesburg, or
Fairfax, VA.
13. ACCOUNT NUMBERS: None.
13. OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Aldas' wife, Carmela Burbano, was
previously the representative payee of his monthly Social Security
payments totaling $915. However, due to an unapproved change in
representative payees, Aldas' benefits are currently on hold and
not being paid to anyone. Aldas also maintains Blue Cross/Blue
Shield Medical Insurance. Aldas is currently receiving care at the
Hermanas Hospitalarias del Sagrado CorazCHermanas Hospitalarias del Sagrado CorazC
24. A family feud between Aldas' siblings and his wife has been
apparent throughout the Consulate's interaction with the interested
parties. The siblings do not agree for their brother to be placed
in a certain care facilities and have taken it upon themselves to
relocate him to Clinica Guadalupe, but have not provided payment to
the facility.
25. Aldas' wife, who has legal authority to make decisions on his
behalf, has stated that she cannot pay out of pocket for the more
expensive clinics. Medicare does not cover medical expenses in
Ecuador. Burbano has expressed her desire for Aldas to be
repatriated to the U.S. and placed in a care facility that can be
covered by Social Security payment. However, on February 8, the
Consular Section learned that Aldas' sister, Rosa Sheta, based in
the U.S. was named representative payee. Since she is not
physically located in the same country as Aldas, payments have been
indefinitely suspended.
HODGES
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