The warning includes the possibility of adding Uruguay to an international blacklist.
On Tuesday, the United States informed Uruguay that it must cease the presence of the Cuban ophthalmological medical brigade, active since 2005, or face diplomatic and military sanctions for alleged “slave labor.”
RELATED: Uruguay Hosts Historic UN Secretary-General Candidates Debate
According to Uruguayan journalist Gabriel Pereyra, the warning includes the possibility of adding Uruguay to an international blacklist, with consequences for U.S. military cooperation and technical assistance.
Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin denied receiving any specific official communication, although he acknowledged that the issue is under bilateral discussion. However, he emphasized that the experience with the Cuban doctors has been “extraordinary.”
The Cuban brigade works at the Jose Marti Eye Hospital in Montevideo, established in 2007 under Operation Miracle, an agreement between Cuba and Uruguay during the administration of former President Tabare Vazquez.
The hospital primarily performs cataract surgeries, in addition to complex procedures such as corneal transplants, glaucoma surgery, strabismus surgery, oculoplastic surgery, and vitreoretinal surgery, using specialized equipment and trained personnel.
The blockade punishes parents or relatives who are anxiously searching for an essential medication one that might be inside one of the more than 7,000 containers prevented from reaching the island due to threats against shipping companies. #CubaIsNotAThreat @CubaMINREX pic.twitter.com/GtG4gnWVR1
— Embajada de Cuba en Seychelles (@cuba_embajada) September 8, 2026
As of September 2026, the brigade had performed more than 120,000 free procedures, benefiting low-income citizens and establishing itself as a leading visual health service in Uruguay.
On Saturdays, Cuban doctors conduct screenings in rural communities, identifying patients with eye problems and transporting them to the hospital for specialized care and necessary surgeries.
The brigade consists of approximately 20 Cuban professionals, including ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, optometrists, technicians, and nursing staff, who work permanently in Montevideo.
The collaboration has garnered recognition from the population, local governments, municipalities, social organizations, and the National Organization of Associations of Retirees and Pensioners (ONAJPU), all of which highlight its positive impact.
The Vatican has officially announced that Pope Leo XIV will undertake an apostolic journey through Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17.
The tour marks a historic return to the continent where he spent decades in missionary work.#PopeLeoXIV #Vatican #Uruguay… pic.twitter.com/XS8FnFg4R7
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) August 5, 2026
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.