Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Five years have passed since the kidnapping in Kenya, on April 12, 2019, of Drs. Assel Herrera Correa and Landy Rodríguez Hernández, Cuban doctors who were serving in that country as part of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement in which they voluntarily participated.
Since the news of the vile and absurd kidnapping broke, the governments of Kenya, Somalia and Cuba have made countless and enormous efforts to achieve the rescue of our two doctors and their return to the Homeland.
The Government of Cuba thanks the Governments of the Republic of Kenya, the Federal Republic of Somalia and other countries for the efforts that are still being made for the release of our doctors.
This extraordinary and unprecedented event in the long history of Cuba's International Medical Cooperation has had the permanent monitoring of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz and the attention of the Party, the State and the Government, headed by the First Secretary and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and authorities and entities inside and outside Cuba.
On 17 February, we received the harsh and worrying news of the alleged death of our two compatriots, victims of an air strike on 15 February by United States military forces operating in Somalia.
Despite the multiple efforts made by the Cuban government, it has not been possible to obtain information or evidence that would allow us to reach definitive conclusions and clarify the situation of Assel and Landy, whether they are still alive or confirm the sad news released on February 17.
The data obtained to date are insufficient to corroborate the truth of what happened in accordance with procedures endorsed by science and national legislation.
What has been specified so far is that on the night of February 15, 2024, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which operates in Somalia, carried out an air strike in the area where the Cuban doctors were.
Given the nature of the conflict in Somalia and the impossibility of obtaining confirmation, in recent weeks the Government of Cuba has repeatedly requested, through direct communications and diplomatic notes from the Government of the United States, precise information on the events that occurred.
At the insistence, the U.S. government confirmed that an attack took place in the area where our doctors were, but without precise clarification regarding the location. He also said that his authorities have launched an investigation. To date, however, the U.S. government has not responded with the required seriousness and urgency. It has not even provided data on the circumstances and characteristics of the operation carried out. It has not clarified whether this was justified, whether the U.S. military acted with due respect for international humanitarian law and with the obligatory care to protect civilians and innocents. It has not provided information on casualties or offered any data that would allow us to determine whether during the operations carried out by the U.S. Africa Command, on the dates and geographic area reported, our doctors were among the victims of the attack.
The Government of Cuba has conveyed these requests for information to the Government of the United States in a respectful manner and in the spirit of cooperation and due attention expected among States in such sensitive situations. It has done so, knowing that various sources affirm that it was a U.S. military operation, with U.S. troops and weapons, that allegedly took the lives of our compatriots.
The absence of data and a prompt and adequate response from the government of the United States prevents us from having accurate elements to offer the families and our people a conclusive version of what happened.
We await an official response to the inquiries that Cuba has respectfully submitted, with elements that can be provided by the civilian and military agencies of the United States operating in Somalia and in that region of the world.
The Government of Cuba reiterates its gratitude to the Governments of the Republic of Kenya, the Federal Republic of Somalia and other countries for their efforts.
Our Government continues to communicate with the United States Government for information. He will not cease in hope and effort until he knows the truth.
Havana, April 12, 2024
Embassy of Cuba / Cubaminrex