Havana, August 22 (RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has rejected renewed U.S. attempts to tarnish the medical assistance that the island offers to more than 60 countries.

Rodriguez said on Twitter that US attempts intend to undermine Cuba's world renowned medical cooperation, which is an example of solidarity and humanity.

"Washington's only purpose is to find new pretexts to tighten the blockade and increase hostility against Cuba," he said.

U.S. government officials have repeatedly attacked Cuban aid workers deployed in other nations, such as Venezuela, while criticizing the qualityof their work and their participation in social programs in various countries.

Since the 1960s, Cuban health professionals have been providing humanitarian assistance in the face of natural disasters and health emergencies, or have collaborated through agreements between governments in various latitudes.  Cuban cooperation also extends to other areas such as education, culture and sports.

Since 1959, more than 56,000 professionals of 137 nationalities have been trained on the island, and more than 11,000 from 132 countries are currently studying in higher education institutions on the island.