Statement by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 12, 2024
Cuban doctors Assel Herrera Correa and Landy Rodríguez Hernández,
Five years have elapsed since the April 12, 2019 kidnapping in Kenya of Doctors Assel Herrera Correa and Landy Rodríguez Hernández, Cuban doctors who were serving in that country as part of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement in which they were voluntarily participating.
Since the news of the vile and absurd kidnapping became known, the governments of Kenya, Somalia and Cuba have made countless and enormous efforts to achieve the rescue of our two doctors and their return to their homeland.
The government of Cuba is grateful to the governments of the Republic of Kenya, the Federal Republic of Somalia and other countries for the efforts that are still being carried out for the release of our doctors.
This extraordinary and unprecedented event in the long history of Cuba’s International Medical Cooperation has counted on the guidance of Army General Raúl Castro and the permanent follow-up of the Party, the State and the Government, headed by the First Secretary and President of the Republic, and of authorities and entities inside and outside Cuba.
Last February 17, we received the hard and worrying news about the alleged death of our two compatriots, victims of an air attack on February 15, by US military forces operating in Somalia.
In spite of the many efforts made by the Cuban government, it has not been possible to obtain information or evidence that would allow us to reach definitive conclusions and clarify the situation of Assel and Landy, whether they are still alive or to confirm the sad news released on February 17.
The data obtained to date are insufficient to corroborate the truth of what happened in accordance with procedures endorsed by science and national legislation.
What has been ascertained so far is that on the night of February 15, 2024, the United States African Command (AFRICOM), which operates in Somalia, carried out an air attack in the area where the Cuban doctors were located.
Given the nature of the conflict in Somalia and the impossibility of obtaining confirmation, in recent weeks the government of Cuba has repeatedly requested, through direct communications and diplomatic notes to the government of the United States, precise information on the events that occurred.
Upon insistence, the U.S. government confirmed that an attack took place in the area where our doctors were, but without precise clarification as to the location. It also stated that its authorities have launched an investigation. However, to date, the U.S. government has not responded with the seriousness or urgency required. It has not even provided data on the circumstances and characteristics of the operation carried out. It has not clarified whether the operation was justified, whether U.S. military forces acted with due respect for International Humanitarian Law and with the obligatory care to protect civilians and innocents. It has not provided information on victims or offered any data that would allow us to determine if during the operations carried out by the U.S. African Command, on the dates and in the geographic area reported, our doctors were among the victims of the attack.
The Cuban government has conveyed these requests for information to the U.S. government in a respectful manner and in the spirit of cooperation and due attention that is expected between States in such sensitive situations. It has done so, knowing that various sources affirm that it was a U.S. military operation, with U.S. troops and weapons, which allegedly took the lives of our compatriots.
The absence of data and of a prompt and adequate response from the U.S. government prevents us from having accurate information to offer the families and our people a conclusive version of what happened.
We await an official response to the inquiries that Cuba has respectfully submitted, with elements that may be provided by the U.S. civilian and military agencies operating in Somalia and in that region of the world.
The government of Cuba reiterates its gratitude to the governments of the Republic of Kenya, the Federal Republic of Somalia and other countries for the steps taken.
Our Government continues to communicate with the Government of the United States in search of information. It will not cease in its hopes and efforts until the truth is known.
Havana, April 12, 2024
Source: Minrex