The Global Liberty Alliance is dedicated to strengthening the rule of law by exposing and holding to account persons engaged in transnational crime such as human trafficking. On April 29, 2020, GLA announced it was expanding its rule of law program to South America, starting with Uruguay. GLA's Uruguay country lead is noted Uruguayan jurist Dr. Sabrina Verónica Peláez Iglesias. Dr. Peláez advises on how the alliance can help advance the rule of law in the region.
Located in a geographical strategic region in South America, Uruguay is a buffer state between Argentina and Brazil. Relations between the U.S. and Uruguay are centuries old and still strong today. The two countries share important values, including a commitment to democracy, rule of law, sound economic policies, strong labor rights, and the desire to see the peaceful resolution of disputes between nations. Many international crimes have been incorporated into Uruguayan domestic law, therefore offenses such as genocide, crimes against humanity, among others, are national crimes under Uruguayan law.
One of GLA's first projects in Uruguay includes uncovering trafficking in Cuban medical professionals. After several months of investigation, on July 16, 2020, GLA announced that a lawsuit was filed in Uruguay to compel the release of records related to Uruguay's contracting for medical workers from Cuba. Before the lawsuit was filed, the GLA uncovered more than 100 pages of documents that included an agreement between Uruguay's Ministry of Social Development and Cuba's Ministry of Health. The Uruguay Cuban Medical Mission Files are linked below.
GLA Uruguayan counsel also met with Uruguayan representative, Dr. Javier Radiccioni, on November 17, 2020 to discuss the Cuban medical missions there. GLA sent a letter to Dr. Radiccioni urging him to press their legislature for more information on the missions, and on May 26, GLA sent a letter to Uruguay's Ambassador to the United States pressing the issue and enclosing the Dr. Radiccioni letter.
GLA also monitors other forms of transnational criminal activities in South America such as corruption and terrorism, activities that undermine the rule of law or U.S. national and security interests. GLA partners with local counsel to assist victims and hold perpetrators to account.
Located in a geographical strategic region in South America, Uruguay is a buffer state between Argentina and Brazil. Relations between the U.S. and Uruguay are centuries old and still strong today. The two countries share important values, including a commitment to democracy, rule of law, sound economic policies, strong labor rights, and the desire to see the peaceful resolution of disputes between nations. Many international crimes have been incorporated into Uruguayan domestic law, therefore offenses such as genocide, crimes against humanity, among others, are national crimes under Uruguayan law.
One of GLA's first projects in Uruguay includes uncovering trafficking in Cuban medical professionals. After several months of investigation, on July 16, 2020, GLA announced that a lawsuit was filed in Uruguay to compel the release of records related to Uruguay's contracting for medical workers from Cuba. Before the lawsuit was filed, the GLA uncovered more than 100 pages of documents that included an agreement between Uruguay's Ministry of Social Development and Cuba's Ministry of Health. The Uruguay Cuban Medical Mission Files are linked below.
GLA Uruguayan counsel also met with Uruguayan representative, Dr. Javier Radiccioni, on November 17, 2020 to discuss the Cuban medical missions there. GLA sent a letter to Dr. Radiccioni urging him to press their legislature for more information on the missions, and on May 26, GLA sent a letter to Uruguay's Ambassador to the United States pressing the issue and enclosing the Dr. Radiccioni letter.
GLA also monitors other forms of transnational criminal activities in South America such as corruption and terrorism, activities that undermine the rule of law or U.S. national and security interests. GLA partners with local counsel to assist victims and hold perpetrators to account.
Uruguay Cuban Medical Mission Files
Media and news coverage:
Ciber Cuba, December 12, 2022: "Exhortan a gobierno de Uruguay a que proteja derechos de médicos cubanos."
AméricaTevé, May 27, 2021: "Denuncian condiciones de explotación de médicos cubanos en Uruguay" (in Spanish).
El Observador (Uruguay), Oct. 5, 2020: "Médicos cubanos deberán rendir cuentas al BPS por partida para operación de ojos" (in Spanish).
AméricaTevé, July 28, 2020: "Colombia dice NO a médicos cubanos" (in Spanish).
Breitbart, July 16, 2020: "Uruguay Latest Nation to Face Accusations of Engaging in Cuban Slave Doctor Program."
ADNCuba, July 16, 2020: “Demanda en Uruguay por misiones médicas cubanas” (in Spanish).
AméricaTevé, May 27, 2021: "Denuncian condiciones de explotación de médicos cubanos en Uruguay" (in Spanish).
El Observador (Uruguay), Oct. 5, 2020: "Médicos cubanos deberán rendir cuentas al BPS por partida para operación de ojos" (in Spanish).
AméricaTevé, July 28, 2020: "Colombia dice NO a médicos cubanos" (in Spanish).
Breitbart, July 16, 2020: "Uruguay Latest Nation to Face Accusations of Engaging in Cuban Slave Doctor Program."
ADNCuba, July 16, 2020: “Demanda en Uruguay por misiones médicas cubanas” (in Spanish).
