A Cuban doctor in exile criticized Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla on Thursday for what he sees as a central contradiction in Rodríguez's speech to the United Nations General Assembly. While Rodríguez showcased a vial of the Cuban medication NeuralCIM® and argued that the embargo prevents seven million Americans from accessing it, he remained silent about over 160,000 Cubans with dementia who also lack access to the drug.
Miguel Ángel Ruano Sánchez, president of the Free Cuban Medical Guild and currently residing in Colombia, posted a detailed rebuttal on Facebook, systematically deconstructing the Cuban minister's statements.
“He seems more concerned about Americans using it, yet he doesn't mention whether Cubans can access it,” Ruano Sánchez wrote.
Visual Strategies and Underlying Realities
On Wednesday, during the annual debate on the U.S. embargo against Cuba, Rodríguez held up a photo of the neuroprotective drug and posed a rhetorical question: “Why does the embargo against Cuba prevent seven million Americans from benefiting from this unique medication, which can address Alzheimer's, senile dementia, and neurodegenerative diseases, with proven, unmatched efficacy?”
This visual tactic mirrored that of U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz a day earlier, who displayed photos at the UN of the Cuban elite's luxuries, such as Fidel Castro's Rolex watches, a Varadero mansion, and Díaz-Canel's luxury items.
The Unseen Cuban Patients
Ruano Sánchez highlighted that between 160,000 and 170,000 Cubans suffer from dementia—about 1.4% of the population—and none have access to NeuralCIM.
The doctor also questioned the scientific rigor of the medication, noting that the phase III clinical trial of the drug involved only 413 patients, according to official records.
“Only 413 patients were involved in the phase III clinical trial of this supposed product, according to official records. Who are they trying to fool?” he wrote.
Legal and Logical Fallacies
Rodríguez also referenced Pemetrexed, a medication used for treating lung cancer produced in the United States. He claimed American restrictions prevent it from reaching patients in Cuba who need it.
However, Rodríguez's argument contains a legal flaw. The U.S. embargo does not ban the export of medications to Cuba. Since the 1992 Cuban Democracy Act (Torricelli Act), U.S. law explicitly allows for the export of medicines, supplies, and health equipment to the island under a licensing policy that generally approves such exports.
During the debate, Waltz noted that American companies exported goods worth $876 million to Cuba in the first eight months of 2026.
Ruano Sánchez also pointed out that the U.S. market already has approved neuroprotectors for Alzheimer's, such as Leqembi, Kisunla, Memantine, and the recently introduced Zanvastro, weakening the argument that NeuralCIM lacks competition there.
“Why insist on selling it in the U.S. when there are plenty of patients in Cuba?” the doctor questioned.
The UN session where Rodríguez spoke concluded with the Cuban resolution against the embargo being approved with 130 votes in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstentions—the worst outcome for Havana since it began presenting this initiative in 1992. In 2025, 165 favorable votes were received.
Questions on NeuralCIM and the Cuban Embargo
What is NeuralCIM?
NeuralCIM® is a Cuban-developed medication claimed to be effective in treating Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Why did Bruno Rodríguez highlight NeuralCIM at the UN?
Bruno Rodríguez used NeuralCIM as an example to argue that the U.S. embargo prevents Americans from accessing beneficial Cuban medications.
Does the U.S. embargo prevent medical exports to Cuba?
No, the U.S. embargo does not prohibit the export of medicines to Cuba. The Cuban Democracy Act allows the export of health supplies to the island under a licensing policy.
Are there alternatives to NeuralCIM in the U.S.?
Yes, the U.S. has several approved neuroprotectors for Alzheimer's, including Leqembi, Kisunla, Memantine, and Zanvastro.