Nicaraguan people thank Cuba for its solidarity
At the same time that Cuba announced the cancellation of a $50 million debt,the right-wing anti-communist government of Nicaragua, in a bizarre move, refused a Cuban offer of doctors and medical supplies. However, the Nicaraguan people and the media reacted much differently.
La Prensa, La Tribuna, El Nuevo Diaro and the Bolsa de Noticias published a message from President Castro in full; the radio stations reported on it; and radio listeners from all over the country called the stations to express their thanks. Many recalled that even during the era of the Somoza dictatorship, Cuba always lent a hand.
The Nicaraguan President, Arnoldo Alemán refused to accept a brigade of Cuban epidemiologists to aid the hurricane victims:"Nicaragua has quite enough doctors to go around, thank you. If we fill our hotels with doctors who will be pressing for helicopters to get to the scene , it will only cause more chaos." Nevertheless health authorities in that country received a donation from the Cuban government of 1090 kilograms of medications valued at about $80,000. The donations included equipment and instruments for the detection of the leptospirosis virus and the biological rodenticide called Biorat.
CUBAN MEDICAL BRIGADES IN CENTRAL AMERICA
Three brigades with Cuban medical personnel (two in Honduras and one in Guatemala) are now treating thousands of people affected by Hurricane Mitch. The 27 health professionals in Honduras and 19 in Guatemala each have a field hospital for the provision of emergency care.
Declan McKenna
Cuba Support Group