Uruguay rejects U.S. pressure to remove Cuban medical brigades

Uruguayan government officials have rejected pressure from the United States to remove Cuban medical brigades operating in the country. Alejandro “Pacha” Sánchez, Secretary of the Presidency, asserted that Uruguay is a sovereign nation that does not accept external orders, stating, “We obey the Uruguayan people, not the United States.”

The tension follows criticisms from the Trump administration, which included mentions of Cuban medical missions in an annual report on human trafficking, alleging labor exploitation. Uruguayan authorities interpreted these claims as an attempt to limit regional healthcare services provided by Cuba and assert U.S. hegemony.

Uruguay highlighted the significant impact of the medical cooperation, which has been active since 2005. Since that time, Cuban personnel have performed over 118,000 surgeries and conducted approximately 916,000 medical consultations. Specifically, the collaboration in ophthalmology has allowed around 100,000 Uruguayans to recover their vision through cataract surgeries.