Statement: Cuban Medical Brigade

Representing the over 55,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, we salute again the remarkable humanitarian solidarity exhibited by scores of Cuban medical workers serving humanity selflessly all over the planet. For over 60 years, Cuban medical brigades have provided care to some of the most marginalized with altruistic humanity. In particular, we recognize the Henry Reeve Contingent founded by late President of the Cuban Republic, Fidel Castro Ruz “with the purpose of saving lives in times of disasters, epidemics, pandemic and other events that require Cuban medical and paramedical health.”

We fully support the call for Nobel recognition and declare our conviction that the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize be awarded to the Cuban International Health Contingent. They represent the very best of humanity. Unlike large corporate health care systems who profit off human illness and hoard patents that could serve humanity. Instead, they profit and commodify human life. The Cuban medical brigades often work in the worst of conditions and sacrifice their own welfare for the greater cause of healing communities; especially those that have been missed. This pandemic reveals again the need for human cooperation, sharing and compassion to confront the challenges to healing our world.

We enthusiastically thank these brave workers. They elevate us all to a better place and show us what is possible. Their act of selfless solidarity reveals a value that deserves recognition, magnification and amplification. You serve this troubled world well. At the very least, they deserve global recognition for their sacrifice and hope they provide for so many.

We fully support the call for Nobel recognition and declare our conviction that the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize be awarded to the Henry Reeve Contingent, also known as Cuban International Health Contingent.