Peruvian farmers affected by the earthquake wait their turn to be examined by Cuban doctors in one of the field hospitals set up in regions of the Cordillera Negra, Peru, June 19, 1970.

The US government makes no secret of its policy of destroying and causing harm to Cuba. A clear example of this has been the attack on Cuban medical missions abroad —one of the most genuine and humane legacies of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz— to prevent Cuba from continuing to show its solidarity with other peoples.

Havana, Cuba.- This was denounced by Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who spoke out against the media harassment to which Cuban collaborators are subjected and the pressure exerted on the governments of the countries where Cuban doctors provide services.

At the opening of the 23rd Meeting of Heads of Medical Missions Abroad, which began yesterday at the Central Medical Collaboration Unit, Vidal Ferreiro rejected accusations of "human trafficking or slavery" against this noble program, arguing that it is legal, legitimate, and internationally recognized as a model of South-South cooperation.

She also referred to the policy of maximum pressure applied by the administration of President Donald Trump, in a new offensive that maintains economic, commercial, and financial limitations not only on Cuba with the US but also with third countries.

However, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that while the US justifies its actions as a "fight against human trafficking" in medical collaboration, the international community has defended the legitimacy of Cuban medical cooperation, highlighting its essential role in the health systems of vulnerable countries and its global prestige.

Dr. Noemí Causa Palma, head of Cuban medical collaboration in Mexico, commented on this support to the press, stating that the performance of Cuban health professionals in this country is backed by international cooperation agreements with the Mexican Institute of Social Security and Welfare and the teaching agreement with the Benito Juárez University for Welfare.

She added that the brigade has the full support of the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has maintained a strong stance in support of the development of Cuban medical services, which are just days away from celebrating three years in this nation.

She noted that Cuban collaborators are currently present in 29 of Mexico's 32 states.

"Today, our specialists are present in the most distant and diverse parts of Mexico, in places that are very difficult to access," he acknowledged.

Tania Margarita Cruz Hernández, First Deputy Minister of Public Health, said that despite the complex context of efforts to discredit Cuban medical cooperation, collaboration currently continues in 56 countries around the world, with the participation of more than 23,000 collaborators. (Granma)