The governor of Italy's Calabria region rejects US pressure against Cuban medical cooperation.

Rome, February 24 (Prensa Latina) The governor of the Italian region of Calabria, Roberto Occhiuto, rejected pressure from the United States to end the healthcare assistance provided by a Cuban medical brigade in that southern part of the country, news outlets reported today

“Cuban doctors remain an indispensable resource to guarantee the stability of the Calabrian health system,” Occhiuto reaffirmed during a meeting held the previous day in the city of Catanzaro with envoys from Washington, including the chargé d'affaires of that nation's embassy in Havana, Mike Hammer.

Hammer's visit to Calabria, accompanied by his country's consul general in Naples, Terrence Flynn, was part of the actions by US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio against Cuban medical missions, with threats of sanctions against nations that hire specialists from the island.

An analysis published by the Calabria 7 newspaper points out that the objective is to "cut off one of Cuba's main sources of foreign currency," with the purpose of intensifying the criminal economic, commercial and financial blockade against that nation, which violates human rights.

"Italy, the only country in the European Union that still employs a significant contingent of Cuban doctors in its hospitals, becomes a symbolic and political target," the media outlet stated.

On this issue, legislator Angelo Bonelli, leader of the parliamentary alliance between the Green Europe and Italian Left parties, stated that "the pressure from the US government on the presence of Cuban doctors in the public health system is unacceptable."

Bonelli urged Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to intervene "to counter the undue interference of a foreign nation in the internal affairs of another country," according to a report published on the RAI News website.

“The contribution of Cuban doctors to Calabria has been fundamental, and we can only express our gratitude for their professionalism,” the deputy added.

The governor of Calabria opposes accepting such US pressure, and in his meeting with diplomats from that country last Monday he explained to them that, on the contrary, his intention is to "increase the Cuban medical mission".

The more than 300 Cuban specialists "provide their services alongside Italian doctors, jointly and in a fraternal environment," said Dr. Luis Enrique Pérez, head of that health brigade, in statements to Prensa Latina, referring to the positive opinion of the health authorities and the population.

The young Calabrian woman, Azurra di Lorenzo, told this news agency, on behalf of the patients, that "initially we were very skeptical about the arrival of these doctors," but "with their presence everything changed thanks to their dedication and professionalism," and "we truly appreciate this link between Italy and Cuba."