Lucio Enríquez Nodarse, a Cuban doctor and outspoken critic of the Cuban regime, has made a compelling case for the urgent need for international humanitarian and military intervention to save lives and restore order in Cuba. He argues that the government has turned the state into a tool of oppression against its own people.
In a video shared on his Facebook account, Enríquez Nodarse clarified the distinction between the two types of interventions. He emphasized that while humanitarian efforts focus on protecting civilians, ensuring access to medicine and food, and restoring basic services, military intervention provides security to prevent authorities from obstructing or misappropriating aid.
The activist doctor believes both actions can be legally and precisely managed within the framework of international law. According to him, Cuba requires both interventions: one to address the dire healthcare shortages and another to ensure aid reaches the populace rather than falling into the hands of the regime.
Enríquez Nodarse dismissed notions that such international operations would be invasions or massacres. Instead, he advocated for controlled actions aimed at neutralizing governmental violence without harming the defenseless populace.
He further stated that once order is restored, those responsible for human rights abuses should face trial in democratic courts, ensuring due process and justice to prevent a relapse into the current state of despair.
Renowned for his outspoken stance on Cuba's healthcare crisis and the lack of medical supplies, Enríquez Nodarse reiterated the urgent need for medication, medical attention, and freedom for the Cuban people amidst a collapsing healthcare system and escalating political repression.
Amidst this healthcare collapse, exiled Cuban doctors and activists have raised their voices against the regime, demanding immediate action. The Guild of Cuban Doctors in Exile, based in Colombia, sent a letter to leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda, holding the state accountable for the spread of diseases like dengue and chikungunya, the shortage of medicines, and the lack of institutional response.
The situation has deteriorated to the extent that one Cuban doctor reported a lack of basic resources in hospitals, describing them as "warehouses of diseases" where healthcare professionals struggle to assist patients.
Simultaneously, activists and citizens have reported a sharp rise in infections, accusing the regime of hiding statistics and resorting to repression instead of health solutions.
Public pressure and denunciations have forced the government to respond. The Ministry of Health recently acknowledged the uncontrolled spread of arboviruses, including chikungunya and dengue, though they have yet to accept direct responsibility.
The official strategy now focuses on increasing fumigation efforts and deploying health brigades, without ensuring access to medicines or providing minimal conditions in hospitals.
From exile, an open letter has warned that the epidemic is out of control and that the population is unprotected. On social media, doctors and citizens agree that the regime's actions are insufficient, as cases, unreported deaths, and widespread desperation continue to rise.
FAQs on Cuba's Healthcare Crisis
Why is there a call for military intervention in Cuba?
The call for military intervention is to ensure that aid reaches the Cuban people without being obstructed or stolen by the authorities, providing security during the humanitarian efforts.
What are the main health issues in Cuba currently?
Cuba is facing a severe healthcare crisis, with a shortage of medicines and an outbreak of diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, exacerbated by insufficient institutional response.
How are Cuban doctors and activists responding to the healthcare crisis?
Exiled Cuban doctors and activists are vocal about the crisis, holding the government accountable and demanding urgent action to address the healthcare and humanitarian needs of the population.