Cuba Elected to PAHO Executive Committee Despite US Opposition

In a crude move, Kristen Pisani, Director of the Office of Economic Assistance and Development of the U.S. Department of State, intervened to "categorically" oppose the Cuban candidacy. The U.S. representative reiterated the lies and accusations that make up the campaign that the U.S. government has been waging for months to try to link Cuba's international medical cooperation with human trafficking.

In her words, she also questioned the More Doctors for Brazil program. The U.S. representative said that the election of Cuba would be offensive and could "undermine the principles of that Organization.

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Following this intervention by the United States, the island's deputy minister of public health, Dr. Marcia Cobas, rejected the accusations made by the State Department official and described it as regrettable that the U.S. government should once again reiterate these falsehoods.

The Cuban Vice-Minister defended Cuba's right to be elected to the Executive Committee and described as disrespectful and immoral the attempt to link human trafficking with the noble work of Cuba's medical personnel, who, she emphasized, "work voluntarily and usually go to places where other health services do not reach."

The Cuban representative mentioned the existence of a $3 million fund that the U.S. government has dedicated to buying false testimonies that try to document the illegitimate accusations against Cuba's cooperation. With the same purpose of sabotaging cooperation programs, these funds are accompanied by pressures and incentives such as the granting of U.S. visas.

Finally, in her brief but forceful reply, the Cuban representative recalled that her country's international cooperation had received recognition in various parts of the world, including international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations.