The official newspaper Granma, the mouthpiece of the Cuban regime, has once again blamed the United States government for the lack of clarity regarding the situation of the Cuban doctors kidnapped in Somalia. In a recent article, Granma accuses the U.S. of failing to provide a clear explanation about what happened to doctors Assel Herrera and Landy Rodríguez, who were abducted by the jihadist group Al Shabab in 2019.
The Cuban regime claims that the U.S. Africa Command (Africom) has avoided giving a satisfactory response about the fate of the doctors, thereby increasing Washington's responsibility in this case. In its quarterly report on civilian casualty assessments, Africom acknowledged a bombing near Jilib, Somalia, on April 15, 2024, but insisted that the attack did not result in civilian casualties, without specifically mentioning the Cuban doctors.
The Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, expressed on the social network X that he was surprised by the lack of new information regarding the Cuban doctors. Rodríguez stated that the Cuban government has been waiting for the results of official investigations into Africom's attacks in Somalia and believes that they have not received a serious or urgent response from the U.S. authorities.
Political Strategy and Lack of Transparency
It is important to highlight that this narrative from the Cuban regime is part of a common strategy to divert attention and blame external factors for internal problems. While they focus on holding the U.S. responsible, they ignore the lack of transparency and effective management by Cuban authorities in this case. Since the doctors' kidnapping, the regime's response has been ineffective and marked by misinformation.
The situation of the kidnapped Cuban doctors is a tragedy that deserves serious attention and a coordinated international effort for its resolution. However, the regime's use of this case to attack the U.S. once again reveals its intent to politicize problems rather than seek real solutions.
It is crucial to remember that the presence of Cuban doctors in Somalia and other countries stems from bilateral agreements that, while promoting medical cooperation, have also been criticized for their propagandistic and labor-exploitative components. The Cuban doctors, sent to conflict zones and adverse conditions, deserve effective support and should not be used as pawns in a political narrative.
Instead of providing concrete answers and seeking effective solutions, the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel opts for propaganda and misinformation, leaving the situation of the Cuban doctors and their families in painful uncertainty.
FAQs on the Situation of Kidnapped Cuban Doctors in Somalia
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the ongoing situation of the Cuban doctors kidnapped in Somalia, and the broader implications of this issue.
What happened to the Cuban doctors Assel Herrera and Landy Rodríguez?
Assel Herrera and Landy Rodríguez were kidnapped by the jihadist group Al Shabab in 2019 while working in Somalia.
Why does the Cuban regime blame the United States for the situation?
The Cuban regime claims that the U.S. Africa Command (Africom) has not provided a satisfactory response about the fate of the doctors, thereby increasing Washington's responsibility in this case.
What has Africom said about the incident?
In its quarterly report on civilian casualties, Africom acknowledged a bombing near Jilib, Somalia, on April 15, 2024, but insisted that the attack did not result in civilian casualties, without specifically mentioning the Cuban doctors.
What is the Cuban government's response to the situation?
The Cuban government, represented by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, has expressed frustration at the lack of new information and considers that they have not received a serious or urgent response from U.S. authorities.