The Dark Secrets of Dr. Chirinos The Tragic Case of Roxana Vargas in Venezuela PART2 #65
00:00The double life of Dr. Edmundo Churinos and the last days of Roxana Vargas.A man with an untouchable reputation.Before Roxanna Vargas ever stepped foot into the office of Dr. Edmundo Churinos, the manalready had decades of fame, respect, and influence built around his name.To understand how a young journalism student's fate ended up tied to this psychiatrist,you have to go back to his beginnings.Edmundo José Chorinos was born on August 12, 1935, in a small town in the state of Falcon, Venezuela.On paper, his career was nothing short of impressive.
00:41He studied medicine, graduating as a surgeon, then went on to earn a degree in psychology,and eventually even obtained a PhD in sciences from the Central University of Venezuela,one of the most prestigious universities in the country.But he didn't stop there.Chorino's pursued advanced studies abroad, becoming a master in neuropsychiatry and clinical psychology,polishing his skills in places like England, France, and New York.He wasn't just some local doctor, he was internationally trained, well-read, and highly ambitious.By 1961, he had already made history by founding the College of Psychologists of Venezuela,
01:22a professional institution that gave structure to the practice of psychology in the country.His professional footprint expanded beyond medicine, he even dipped his toes into politics,building networks and allies in high places.Now, let's talk personality.Those who knew him painted a complex picture.On the outside, he was seen as brilliant, captivating, charismatic, and sharp.He had that magnetic aura of someone who could easily.win over a crowd or gain the trust of strangers. But peel back the layers and other descriptors
01:59came up, seductive, manipulative, and compulsive liar. In short, he was the kind of man whocould make you feel safe while secretly pulling your strings. By the time 2008 rolledaround, Chorinos wasn't just respected, he was practically untouchable. He was regularly invitedto TV shows and newspaper interviews to comment on politics, diagnose the problems of Venezuelansociety, and give intellectual soundbites. He was the expert everyone wanted to quote.What few people realized was that behind the polished suits and charming speeches was a manwhose darker impulses were quietly festering.Roxana's first step into his office.
02:45Fast forward to October 1, 2007.That was the day 19-year-old Roxanna Vargas walked into Cherinos office for the first time.She wasn't alone, her mother, Anna Teresa, and her sister Mariana were with her.The meeting lasted about an hour.During that short window of time, Chorinos delivered a diagnosis that left Mariana deeply unsettled.He told them that Roxanna was suffering from schizophrenia.Now, think about this, one hour of conversation.and he jumped straight to schizophrenia, one of the most severe psychiatric conditions.
03:25Mariana, who knew her sister better than anyone, found the label rushed, extreme, and completelyout of character.Roxana didn't exhibit the typical signs of that illness.But who was she to argue?After all, this was the Dr. Chorinos, an authority figure with credentials longer than a grocery list.Anna Teresa, on the other hand, didn't question her.the diagnosis. She only wanted to know one thing.Doctor, what do we have to do to make my daughter better?
03:59Cherino's answer came smoothly, almost rehearsed. He said Roxanna needed to start treatment rightaway. Since the family didn't have the financial means to hospitalize her, he recommendedambulatory sleep therapy, something that would supposedly help balance her mental state.With complete trust in his expertise, they agreed.The second appointment.The very next day, October 2, 2007, Roxanna returned for her second session.She entered the office around 1 p.m. and didn't come out until five hours later.When she finally left, she seemed, off.
04:41Disoriented.She asked her mother to stop at a store to borrow.by sanitary pads because, according to her, her period had suddenly started.Oddly enough, by the next day, the bleeding had completely stopped.That detail lingered in Anna Teresa's mind. It didn't feel normal. When she asked Cherinosabout it later, he brushed it off, saying it was a side effect of the medication he wasadministering. His calm tone made it sound convincing, but in her gut, Anna Teresa couldn't shakethe strangeness of it all. A strange pattern emerges.
05:21Roxanna attended a couple more appointments after that. Each time, she came out of the sessionswith fuzzy memories. She told her family she couldn't remember what had happened while she wasunder the so-called sleep therapy. Still, she added that Cherinos treated her with a lot ofaffection, and she appreciated that. But then came October 15th,2007, a date that would change everything.The disturbing session.That day, Roxanna walked into Chorino's office like she had on the other occasions.But something happened during that session that she would later describe, in fragmented memory, to a friend.
06:04According to Roxanna, she recalled being semi-conscious, her eyes half open, her body lying down after receiving an intravenous injection that knocked her out.She remembered Chorinos placing something over her eyes.Then, in that hazy state, she felt him kiss her.She realized he was doing things he should never, ever do as a doctor.Before it escalated further, Roxana somehow managed to regain enough strength to resist.She pushed him away.Startled, Chorinos quickly pulled up his pants and switched gears, changing into his calm, soothing doctor voice.He hugged her just.
06:44Gently, spoke in soft tones, and insisted that the confusion was all part of the treatment.He told her over and over.This is just the therapy.You mustn't tell anyone.If you say something, people will misunderstand.It was manipulation, plain and simple.Roxanna confides in a friend.After that traumatic session, Roxanna went to meet.
07:14her friend Valentina. She couldn't hold it in. She shared what had happened, still shaken andunsure how to process it. Valentina was shocked. Roxanna's mother, Anna Teresa, had accompaniedher to the meeting but gave the girl's space to talk privately. That gave Roxana the courageto open up. She told Valentina the details of the incident, how she had been drugged, kissed,and touched by Chorinos and how he tried to silence her afterward.Valentina didn't mince words.She told Roxanna she needed to tell her mother immediately.She couldn't keep this secret, it was too dangerous.
07:58At first, Roxanna hesitated.She was scared, embarrassed, and confused.But Valentina pushed her firmly.You have to tell your mom.she has to know don't let him hurt you again finally roxana agreed she would confess everything to her mother to be continued
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