In an online conference titled "Defending Cuban Medical Missions Against Marco Rubio’s Lies", Ambassador Ismara Mercedes Vargas Walter highlighted the importance of Cuba’s medical brigades and denounced Washington’s attempts to discredit them.
During her speech at the Caribbean Labour Solidarity (CLS) April meeting, Ambassador Vargas Walter reaffirmed Cuba’s unwavering commitment to global medical solidarity. She emphasized that Cuban doctors have provided healthcare in over 50 countries, saving millions of lives and bringing essential medical services to communities in need.
She dismissed Rubio’s claims that Cuba’s medical missions constitute "human trafficking," calling them politically motivated attacks designed to undermine Cuba’s international standing and economic stability. She also condemned recent U.S. actions, including pressuring Caribbean nations to sever ties with Cuba’s medical programs, as violations of their sovereignty and their people’s right to healthcare.
The Ambassador stressed that Cuba’s medical professionals participate in these missions voluntarily and with a deep sense of humanitarian duty. "Our doctors are not victims; they are heroes who have dedicated their lives to serving others," she stated.
Ambassador Vargas Walter welcomed the support of Caribbean leaders, who have rejected U.S. interference. She praised Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson for publicly defending Cuban doctors. She also cited an editorial from The Gleaner, Jamaica’s leading newspaper, which criticized Washington’s stance and reaffirmed the importance of Cuban medical cooperation in the region.
In her closing remarks, Vargas Walter called on the international community to stand against these coercive measures. She urged solidarity movements, trade unions, and progressive forces worldwide to defend Cuba’s right to provide medical assistance free from political manipulation.
"Cuba’s mission is one of life, solidarity, and humanity," she declared. "No blockade or slander will stop us from saving lives."