Doctors, not bombs
Excerpts from Fidel’s 2003 speech in Buenos Aires: Our country does not drop bombs on other peoples… our country does not possess nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, or biological weapons. Our country’s tens of thousands of scientists and doctors have been educated in the idea of saving lives

Author: Fidel Castro Ruz | internet@granma.cu
march 26, 2020 10:03:37

Excerpts of speech by Comandante en jefe Fidel Castro, in Buenos Aires, in May of 2003.

Photo: Granma
Since I am an optimist, I think this world can be saved, in spite of the mistakes made, in spite of the immense, hegemonic powers that have been created, because I believe ideas prevail over force.…

Our country does not drop bombs on other peoples, nor does it send thousands of planes to bomb cities; our country does not possess nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, or biological weapons. Our country’s tens of thousands of scientists and doctors have been educated in the idea of saving lives. It would absolutely contradict this concept to put a scientist or a doctor to work to produce substances, bacteria or viruses to kill other human beings.

Allegations that Cuba is doing research on biological weapons have even been made. In our country, research is conducted to cure diseases as severe as meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis, to produce vaccines with genetic engineering techniques, or, something of great importance, to discover vaccines or therapeutic formulas through molecular immunology; some of which can prevent and others cure. We are moving forward along this path. This is the pride of our doctors and our research centers.

Tens of thousands of Cuban doctors have provided internationalist services in the most remote and inhospitable places. I once said that we could not and would never carry out preventive or surprise attacks against any dark corner of the world; but rather that our country could send needed doctors to the darkest corners of the world. Doctors, not bombs. Doctors, not smart weapons.

Ministry of Public Health reports 67 persons infected and the country’s second death
When the most recent tally was closed, yesterday March 25, the Ministry of Public Health reported that 10 new Covid-19 cases had been confirmed in Cuba, for a total of 67

Digital news staffmarch 26, 2020 13:03:47

Photo: Granma
Francisco Durán, director of epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health, reported in a press conference that the 45-year-old Russian citizen hospitalized in Cuba, had died from complications associated with Covid-19 and other chronic conditions, in this case a history of Type II diabetes mellitus, despite a concerted effort on the part of a team of doctors.

Of the 67 patients diagnosed with the disease, 64 remain hospitalized, including two in critical condition.

A 38-year-old Cuban citizen, who arrived in the country on March 13 from Italy, is reported to be in serious condition, having been diagnosed with pneumonia.

A total of 1,603 patients, 148 from abroad and 1,455 Cubans, have been admitted for clinical and epidemiological surveillance in isolation and care centers established for this purpose. Another 36,056 persons are being monitored in their homes by primary health care teams.

Thus far, 893 individuals have been tested for the coronavirus, with 67 identified as positive.

The new cases reported include a Russian citizen who had contact with a previously identified patient; four Cubans who had contact with travelers from abroad; and five Cubans who had recently returned from other countries, including the United States, Guyana, and France.

All are currently in stable condition.