Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs Speaks Out on Alleged Death of Cuban Doctors

On February 19th, Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power and the Council of State of Cuba, left for the Republic of Kenya as a Special Envoy to clarify details about the news spread regarding the Cuban doctors Assel Herrera Correa and Landy Rodríguez.

Lazo’s Mission for Clarification

Lazo seeks “cooperation and clarification“, after recent news published about the unconfirmed death of the Cuban doctors kidnapped in Somalia on April 12, 2019”; stated a communique from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a meeting held between the Cuban leader and William Ruto, president of the Republic of Kenya, sensitive information was obtained that will allow progress in the limited clarification about the alleged deaths of the Cuban doctors in Somalia where they were kidnapped.

International Cooperation and Investigation

Lazo Hernández thanked the cooperation of the government of that country in front of this delicate and painful matter, also highlighted the spirit of cooperation.

Meanwhile, the actions and management of various governments continue in order to promote greater clarification on the fact. In addition, the information obtained is being processed by authorities in charge of following up on the investigation.

On February 18th, the Cuban government began the management and communication with the government of Somalia in search of precision about the reported military operations.

Several press media that cite the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) maintain that the event occurred on the night of February 15th, during a drone bombardment by the United States armed forces in Dilib, Somalia, where the doctors Assel Herrera Correa and Landy Rodríguez were held captive.

The Kidnapping of Cuban Doctors

On April 12, 2019, in the Kenyan city of Mandera (northeast), bordering Somalia, these two Cuban doctors were kidnapped by members of the Somali jihadist group Al Shabab.

The two, a surgeon and a general practitioner, were part of a contingent of 100 Cuban doctors sent to the Republic of Kenya in 2018, following a bilateral agreement that would strengthen health services in that country.

Despite some negotiations and at least two rescue attempts by Kenyan and Somali forces, Al Shabab kept the Cuban doctors in captivity since their kidnapping.