Embajada de Cuba en Irán

Last week I was in Cuba. We bore witness to the impacts of the over six decades long U.S. blockade and siege on the people of Cuba. We brought donated medical supplies, medications, and other essential items but this is not a sustainable solution. The people of Cuba are struggling immensely. There is a dire lack of energy and fuel, leading to blackouts and water shortages. Food costs are high, people can’t afford to feed their families. Medication is unavailable or on extremely short supply. This blockade maintained by the U.S. must end. Today there was a United Nations resolution on condemning the economic embargo imposed on Cuba. Canada must do more to support the people of Cuba as they continue to suffer the consequences of Western imperialism and interference with their sovereignty, independence, and self-determination. Let Cuba live! 🇨🇺

When I spent time in Cuba a bit over a week ago, one of the really special moments was meeting Palestinian medical graduates, Dr. Ihab and Dr. Motee, with my friend Rania who was also on the Mariposa Brigade with me. Cuba has been training medical students from all over the world, and sending doctors on medical brigades to support communities in need around the world. While facing an immensely difficult U.S. blockade, the Cuban medical system continues to train medical students from all over the world. Meeting medical students who are training to be doctors who understand their role to advocate for changing the social and political root causes of disease and illness affecting the populations they care for, was deeply inspiring and hopeful for a practice of medicine that is grounded in international solidarity and a shared love for collective humanity and liberation.