Yilian Jiménez Expósito, an official from the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), firmly denied that the Cuban government has restricted access for Cuban-American activist Carlos Lazo or other solidarity groups to health institutions. However, in her statements, she ultimately admitted that Lazo had been denied entry at some point and explained the reason for it.
"Cuba has never denied access to solidarity groups to health institutions", Jiménez Expósito stated first, in response to the recent declarations made by Professor Lazo, creator of the Fábrica de Sueños project and the Caravana Puentes de Amor, who denounced the blockade on direct aid to hospitals.
According to the official—who is the head of the Collaboration Department of the International Relations Directorate of MINSAP—Lazo himself has documentary evidence substantiating the delivery of his donations.
"He misrepresented the facts. When he has been unable to visit the hospital, evidence of the receipt of those donations at the institutions has always been sent to him," the official stated in remarks reported by Cubadebate.
Jiménez Expósito took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the solidarity assistance provided by Lazo to various health institutions in Cuba, particularly pediatric ones.
"As a member of this community and an official of the Ministry of Public Health, I want to start by thanking you for the continuous support you have provided to our institutions, especially to pediatric facilities. Contributions that, together with other friends of solidarity in the United States, work alongside us," she noted.
Nonetheless, Jiménez Expósito ultimately admitted that Lazo has indeed been denied entry to a hospital and explained the reason.
"Perhaps if Professor Lazo has been unable to visit an institution, it is because his visit was unannounced, seeking a last-minute ticket, and it is not always possible to visit institutions without interrupting assistance processes," the official stated.
However, contradictorily, he reiterated that access has never been prohibited: "It is not true that he has been banned from entering health institutions; he has done so all this time."
Finally, the official recommended that future visits be organized in advance to avoid any setbacks.
"These visits must be organized and notified in advance, without bureaucracy, because we at MINSAP are working to ensure that this much-needed assistance reaches the people as quickly and efficiently as possible," he asserted.
Thank you for the supportive contributions
The official took the opportunity to thank other international support groups, such as Pepe and the José Martí Cultural Association, as well as figures like "Aurora" and "Nachito Herrera," from Canada and Spain, who she said continuously send donations "often anonymously."
"The visit to our institutions is not something forbidden. This is demonstrated by the recent donations from Nachito Herrera and Aurora to the provincial hospital of Villa Clara, which included 24 tons of supplies and medications," the official stated.
Jiménez Expósito highlighted that contributions have increased amid the restrictions imposed by the U.S. embargo and the limitations faced by the Cuban healthcare system.
He also mentioned the efforts of organizations like Las Hormigas Solidarias, which have made multiple visits to health institutions without any issues.
"Many times, under challenging logistical conditions, these deliveries are made possible so that the donations can arrive, despite the lack of fuel," he concluded.
The origin of the controversy
Previously, the Cuban-American activist Carlos Lazo denounced that Cuban authorities impose restrictions on the direct delivery of medical supplies and powdered milk to pediatric hospitals on the island.
In a statement posted on their social media, Lazo assured that the regime is hindering the humanitarian work that their organization has been doing for years for the benefit of the Cuban population.
"'Bridges of Love' can no longer visit Cuban pediatric hospitals", he stated.
He said that the problem has been ongoing for months, but the activists remain "engaged in the task of delivering donations to Cuba," despite a "mysterious regulation" that prohibits them from visiting medical centers.
Lazo's denunciation marked a shift in his rhetoric, after years of being seen as an ally of the Cuban government in its campaign against the U.S. embargo.
Since the establishment of "Puentes de Amor," Lazo has advocated for the lifting of economic sanctions and has held meetings with government representatives in Havana, including a hearing with Miguel Díaz-Canel in 2021.
"Apparently, extremism, suspicion, and silencing against us is not just a phenomenon in Miami. In Cuba, there are also events that discourage and offend those who fight for the Cuban family," said the activist.
Lazo's evolution as a public figure is complex. In 2022, his open support for lifting the embargo, his visits to Cuba, and his meetings with the Cuban government earned him strong criticism from the exile community in Miami.
The Cuban community in Florida even organized a campaign on Change.org that gathered over 10,000 signatures to declare him a "persona non grata", accusing him of being a supporter of the regime.
Lazo has always denied these accusations, insisting that his only loyalty is to the Cuban family and not to any political agenda. However, the recent ban on accessing hospitals seems to have changed his perspective.
"It is not fair that deserving Cuban emigrants sacrifice so much only to be treated this way. It is not fair that those activists who face threats, insults, and dangers in Miami arrive in Cuba and are treated as outcasts. Neither there nor here can I remain indifferent when the efforts of men and women who give so much for their people and the Cuban family are belittled and silenced," Lazo lamented.
Lazo reported that, in addition to preventing him from delivering donations directly, the Cuban authorities would have advised friends and institutions on the island not to cooperate with his project.
"We have tried to clarify this situation at various levels, with institutions and officials. The responses are evasive. The institutions and bureaucrats we have approached to untangle this mess tell us that 'nothing is happening,' but the disdain, rudeness, and even verbal mistreatment that our activists have received tell a different story," he explained.
"Neither regulations, nor misunderstandings, nor obstacles will prevent us from continuing to advance this work. This is a work of love. Love is imperishable. The Cuban family will move forward!" he concluded in his statement.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Controversy between Carlos Lazo and the Cuban Regime
What complaint has Carlos Lazo filed against the Cuban government?
Carlos Lazo has reported that the Cuban government is obstructing the direct delivery of medical supplies and powdered milk to pediatric hospitals in Cuba. According to him, there are regulations that prevent his organization, "Puentes de Amor," from visiting these medical centers to deliver donations.
What has been the Cuban regime's response to Carlos Lazo's accusations?
Yilian Jiménez Expósito, an official of the Ministry of Public Health, denied that access to hospitals has been prohibited for Lazo. She stated that visits must be organized in advance to avoid disrupting care processes, and that there are no restrictions on the entry of solidarity groups.
How has Carlos Lazo's relationship with the Cuban government changed?
Carlos Lazo, previously seen as an ally of the Cuban regime, has changed his stance following recent restrictions on his humanitarian work. He now criticizes both the U.S. blockade and the internal obstacles set by the Cuban government, pointing out that these actions demotivate those who seek to help the Cuban people.
Why is Damir Ortiz's case relevant in the context of Carlos Lazo's accusation?
The case of Damir Ortiz, a child who requires specialized medical care outside of Cuba, highlights the deficiencies of the Cuban health system and the bureaucratic hurdles faced by those seeking international assistance. The refusal of MINSAP to authorize his treatment in the U.S. is an example of the internal barriers that prevent access to proper medical care, akin to the obstacles pointed out by Carlos Lazo.
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