The U.S. govt. policy is to systematically cut off any source of income to Cuba: Mitchell Valdes-Sosa

The U.S. government has escalated its campaign to dismantle Cuba’s medical missions, pressuring Global South nations to halt collaborations by falsely labeling them 'forced labor.' Cuba’s renowned healthcare and biotechnology sectors—critical to its economy—are now at breaking point due to power cuts, resource shortages, and U.S. trade restrictions. Mitchell Valdes-Sosa, General Director of the Cuban Center for Neuroscience and advisor to the Minister of Science, stated that Cuba’s medical brigades operate in over 62 countries, providing essential services to underserved regions. The U.S. has threatened sanctions against countries hiring Cuban doctors, leading some nations to withdraw support despite the missions’ humanitarian impact. Cuba produces over 360 subsidized medicines, covering WHO’s essential list, prioritizing accessibility over profit. Valdes-Sosa rejected U.S. claims, noting Cuban doctors abroad earn more than their domestic counterparts and contribute funds to Cuban hospitals. He called the U.S. campaign an intervention, aimed at starving Cuba by cutting off income sources and dismantling its humanitarian diplomacy. The Cuban government has vowed to continue offering medical services despite pressures, framing the missions as a form of noble diplomacy. The U.S. strategy targets biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, which operate on social rather than commercial principles. Cuba’s pharmaceutical industry produces life-saving drugs at low costs, ensuring universal access. Valdes-Sosa criticized U.S. hypocrisy, noting its historical reliance on exploitative labor practices, while accusing Washington of using sanctions to crush Cuba’s sovereignty. The crisis has exposed vulnerabilities in Cuba’s healthcare system, with power outages and supply shortages disrupting production. Global South nations are urged to resist U.S. coercion, as the sanctions violate their sovereignty and jeopardize public health. Cuba’s medical missions have earned global admiration, serving as an alternative to military-based diplomacy. Valdes-Sosa emphasized that the U.S. seeks to eliminate both Cuba’s economic resilience and its soft power influence. The conflict underscores broader geopolitical tensions, with Cuba’s survival hinging on maintaining international solidarity amid economic warfare.