Havana, December 30 (RHC)--Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel held talks with his counterparts from Kenya and Somalia to inquire about arrangements for the "safe return" to the island of Cuban doctors kidnapped by terrorists in the border territory of both nations.

"I held conversations with the presidents of Kenya and Somalia," Uhuru Kenyatta and Abdullahi Mohamed, respectively, on the current state of bilateral relations, the Cuban leader said Monday on  Twitter.

"Proper arrangements are underway for the safe return to the Homeland of doctors Assel Herrera and Landy Rodriguez. Our support to their families," he added.

In previous days, Havana thanked the Kenyan government for the efforts it is making to secure the release and safe return to Cuba of the doctors, who were kidnapped on April 12 while they were on their way in a vehicle to the Mandera hospital, near the border with Somalia.

Ines Maria Chapman, vice president of the Council of Ministers, assured on December 16 that Herrera and Rodriguez "are well", and that "efforts for their safe return continue".

Herrera and Rodriguez worked at the Mandera hospital as medical collaborators, like thousands of other Cuban health professionals who do so at various latitudes.

"Our people can be sure that the leadership of the Party and the Cuban government are devoting permanent attention to this issue, and our priority is that they return safely to the homeland," Chapman said while stressing that the Cuban authorities "are permanently aware of how both doctors are doing and in contact with their families."