Home Trump praised SA on Monday – but US officials fume at our ‘Cuban doctors’

Trump praised SA on Monday – but US officials fume at our ‘Cuban doctors’

It’s been a topsy-turvy week for relations between South Africa and the United States. After receiving a Freedom Day message from the office of Donald Trump on Monday, it took just 48 hours for things to sour. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blasted the ANC for taking on hundreds of Cuban doctors.

On 27 April, South Africa welcomed a group of 217 Cuban health experts sent to help curb the spread of this killer disease and flatten the curve. However, questions have been raised about the motivations of Cuba’s government and the way their travelling doctors are treated.

Mike Pompeo blasts South Africa for taking Cuban doctors

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Pompeo lamented South Africa’s actions. He accused the ANC of “profiting from human trafficking”, and put Mzansi in the same boat as Qatar.

“We applaud leaders in Brazil and in Ecuador and Bolivia and other countries which have refused to turn a blind eye to these abuses by the Cuban regime and ask all countries to do the same, including places like South Africa and Qatar.”

“Governments accepting Cuban doctors must pay them directly, otherwise when they pay the regime, they are helping the Cuban government turn a profit on human trafficking.”

Mike Pompeo

In case you missed it: Donald Trump praises ‘freedom-loving’ South Africans

It marks an abrupt turn from the warm sentiments expressed by Donald Trump at the start of the week. In sending over a Freedom Day message, the US leader acknowledged the significance of our first democratic elections and expressed a desire to strengthen ties with Mzansi. Cuban doctors or otherwise…

“The United States and South Africa share strong social, economic, and educational ties, and I am pleased that our bilateral relationship continues to grow.  I know that you share my desire to deepen these links in pursuit of mutual prosperity, strengthen our health and security cooperation, and reinforce our people-to-people connections.”

“The American people join me in wishing every blessing on the South African people. I look forward to working together with you to advance peace and security and promote trade and economic growth in Africa and around the world. The celebration of South Africa’s first multiracial elections is a chance to reflect on our shared values of freedom.”

Donald Trump


No comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
ads
Powered by Blogger.