Yilian Jiménez Expósito, an official from Cuba's Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), vehemently denied claims that the Cuban government has restricted access for Cuban-American activist Carlos Lazo or other solidarity groups to healthcare facilities. However, in her statements, she conceded that Lazo has been denied entry at times, providing an explanation for these instances.
Initially, Jiménez Expósito asserted, "Cuba has never barred solidarity groups from accessing healthcare institutions," in response to Lazo's allegations. Lazo, the founder of the Dream Factory project and the Bridges of Love Caravan, had recently accused the Cuban government of blocking direct aid to hospitals. According to Jiménez Expósito, who leads the Department of Collaboration at the MINSAP's International Relations Directorate, Lazo himself possesses documentary evidence confirming the donation deliveries.
"His claims are untrue. When Lazo couldn't visit the hospital, he was always provided with proof of the donations being received by the institutions," Jiménez Expósito stated in an interview with Cubadebate.
Jiménez Expósito took the opportunity to express gratitude for the solidarity aid Lazo has offered to various Cuban healthcare institutions, particularly those serving pediatric patients. "As a representative of the Ministry of Public Health and a member of this community, I want to thank him for the continuous support to our institutions, especially pediatric ones. These contributions, together with other solidarity friends in the United States, are working with us," she acknowledged.
Nevertheless, Jiménez Expósito admitted that Lazo has been denied entry to some hospitals, explaining, "Perhaps if Professor Lazo couldn't visit a facility, it was because his visit was unannounced, seeking a last-minute ticket, and it's not always possible to visit institutions to avoid disrupting healthcare processes."
She reiterated that access has never been outright prohibited: "It's not true that he's been banned from entering healthcare institutions; he has been doing so all along."
Finally, the official suggested future visits should be planned in advance to avoid complications. "These visits should be organized and pre-announced, without bureaucracy, because at MINSAP, we work to ensure this much-needed aid reaches the people as quickly as possible," she advised.
Appreciation for Solidarity Contributions
The official also expressed thanks to other international support groups, like Pepe and the José Martí Cultural Association, as well as individuals such as "Aurora" and Nachito Herrera, from Canada and Spain, who frequently send donations, often anonymously. "Visiting our institutions is not prohibited. Recent donations from Nachito Herrera and Aurora to the provincial hospital in Villa Clara, with 24 tons of supplies and medicines, prove this," she highlighted.
Jiménez Expósito noted the increase in contributions amidst the restrictions imposed by the U.S. embargo and the challenges faced by Cuba's healthcare system. She also mentioned the efforts of organizations like Las Hormigas Solidarias, which have made multiple visits to healthcare facilities without issues. "Despite logistical challenges, these donations are facilitated to reach their destination, even without sufficient fuel," she concluded.
The Root of the Controversy
Previously, Cuban-American activist Carlos Lazo had accused Cuban authorities of imposing restrictions on the direct delivery of medical supplies and powdered milk to pediatric hospitals on the island. In a social media statement, Lazo claimed the regime was hindering the humanitarian efforts his organization has been engaged in for years to benefit the Cuban population. "Bridges of Love can no longer visit Cuban pediatric hospitals," he asserted.
According to Lazo, this issue has persisted for months, but activists remain committed to delivering donations to Cuba, despite a "mysterious regulation" preventing them from visiting medical centers. Lazo's denunciation marked a shift in his rhetoric after years of being perceived as an ally of the Cuban government in its campaign against the U.S. embargo.
Since founding Bridges of Love, Lazo has advocated for lifting economic sanctions and held meetings with Cuban government representatives in Havana, including a meeting with Miguel Díaz-Canel in 2021. "Apparently, extremism, suspicion, and silencing against us is not just a Miami phenomenon. In Cuba, things happen that discourage and offend those who fight for the Cuban family," the activist stated.
Lazo's journey as a public figure is complex. In 2022, his open support for lifting the embargo, frequent visits to Cuba, and interactions with the Cuban government led to severe criticism from the Miami exile community. Florida's Cuban community even launched a Change.org campaign, garnering over 10,000 signatures to declare him "persona non grata," accusing him of being a regime supporter.
Lazo has consistently denied these allegations, emphasizing that his loyalty lies solely with the Cuban family, not any political agenda. However, the recent ban on hospital access appears to have altered his viewpoint. "It's unjust for honorable Cuban emigrants to sacrifice so much only to be treated this way. It's unfair for activists facing threats, insults, and dangers in Miami to arrive in Cuba and be treated like outcasts. I cannot remain indifferent when the efforts of those who give so much for their people and the Cuban family are marginalized and silenced," Lazo lamented.
Lazo also claimed that, aside from preventing him from directly delivering donations, Cuban authorities had instructed friends and institutions on the island not to collaborate 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 approached to resolve the issue say 'nothing is happening,' but the snubs, discourtesies, and even verbal abuse our activists have faced show otherwise," he explained.
"Neither regulations, misunderstandings, nor setbacks will prevent us from continuing this work. This is a labor of love. Love is everlasting. The Cuban family will persevere!" he concluded in his statement.
Understanding the Cuban Government's Stance on Donations
Why has Carlos Lazo been denied entry to some Cuban hospitals?
Carlos Lazo has been denied entry due to unannounced visits that could disrupt healthcare processes, according to Yilian Jiménez Expósito.
What has Carlos Lazo alleged about the Cuban government's actions?
Carlos Lazo has accused the Cuban government of obstructing direct donations of medical supplies to hospitals and hindering his organization's humanitarian efforts.
How has the Cuban government responded to the accusations?
The Cuban government, through Yilian Jiménez Expósito, denied restricting access to hospitals for solidarity groups, stating that any denied entry was due to logistical reasons.
What is the significance of Carlos Lazo's recent statements?
Carlos Lazo's recent statements mark a shift in his stance, as he had previously been seen as an ally of the Cuban government, advocating for lifting the U.S. embargo.