Havana, December 5 (RHC)-- The Government of Cuba denounced Thursday that the current U.S. crusade against the international medical collaboration of the Caribbean island is as an infamous and criminal act.

In a statement, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that this attack by Washington will not blur the solidarity and human contribution of the 29,000 health professionals, who currently offer services in 65 nations.

In the text, entitled 'The U.S. crusade against Cuba's international medical cooperation,' the Cuban government pointed out that the U.S. persecution began in Latin America and has forced the cessation of cooperation programs in Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia.

It described the attitude of the U.S. administration as despicable, and assured that Cuban professionals will continue saving lives and seeking health and welfare throughout the world, to the limit of the possibilities of the Caribbean country and wherever its medical services are requested.

The Foreign Ministry recalled that together with the insulting and intense campaign waged since last year against the medical collaboration, Washington is threatening sanctions against Cuban leaders and putting pressure on recipient states to get rid of the health services offered by the island.

Havana affirmed that the effort is led in full by the National Security Council of the White House, with the active involvement of senators and congressmen associated with the anti-Cuban mafia that resides in the state of Florida and other officials of the U.S. Department of State.

The statement added that as part of that crusade, they accuse Cuba of subjecting the members of its health system to alleged modern slavery or human trafficking, or in other cases, they try to blame collaborators for interference in the internal affairs of the states in which they are stationed.

Cuba warned that the United States is also trying to re-establish the so-called 'Parole Program for Cuban Medical Professionals', which existed until January 12, 2017, to once again incite desertion.

The document recalled the participation of the secretary-general of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, in the plan against the prestige of the Cuban medical cooperation, as well as the funds allocated by the Agency for International Development (USAID), of 3 million dollars for projects directed against Cuban medical brigades abroad.

The Cuban government also recalled the slander, humiliation, and mistreatment suffered by members of the island's medical brigades in Brazil, after the assumption of the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro; in Ecuador, with the Executive of Lenín Moreno; and in Bolivia after the coup d'état against Evo Morales.

It also affirmed that in his pursuit and search for information, the United States has tried with its 'diplomats' to interrogate Cuban personnel in health centers where they work abroad, including in North Africa and the Middle East.

Havana also considered it immoral and unacceptable to question the dignity, professionalism, and altruism of the more than 400,000 Cuban health collaborators who, in 56 years, have completed missions in 164 nations.

It recalled that 35,613 health professionals from 138 countries had been trained free of charge in Cuba.

The Cuban authorities explained that in the case of the nations with the most unfavorable economic conditions, Cuba practically assumes the expenses of the collaboration.

"In the same way and in line with the concepts of the United Nations on cooperation among developing countries, this is offered in other nations on the basis of complementarity and partial compensation for services provided," explains the statement.

The text stated that Cuban technicians and professionals who participate in these programs do so absolutely freely and voluntarily, and during the fulfillment of their mission, they continue to receive their full salary in Cuba and also have a stipend in the country of destination, along with other benefits.

It added that when Cuba receives compensation for the cooperation provided, these collaborators have the merit of providing a fair and totally legitimate contribution for the financing, sustainability and development of the free and massive health system, accessible to all Cubans, as well as for the cooperation programs that are deployed, without any payment to our country, in many parts of the world.