Fidel Castro, “Doctors not bombs”, speech at the University of Buenos Aires 2003 English subtitles

I did my very best to translate this snippet of Fidels speech in a way that doesn’t erode any of the speech’s spirit. Since my Spanish is insanely limited, I had to take a little bit of creative license. If anybody has tips on how to improve my translation please don’t be shy, share away.

I expect for many seeing the name “Fidel” May not elicit positive reactions. But here’s hoping, while difficult, you will take the time to consider separating the man and some of his less than stellar choices, from the man and the significant scientific/medical breakthroughs that were made under his leadership.

-Breakthroughs like the ones that saved the lives and limbs of millions of patients with diabetic ulcers

-Breakthroughs like being the very first country to stop the spread of HIV from mother to baby

-Breakthroughs like not only finding a way to “cure” lung cancer, but a way to prevent it

-Breakthroughs like being the only country to find a vaccine for meningitis B

-Breakthroughs like *a treatment that is being used all around the world for those infected with COVID-19. This treatment is thanks to cutting edge research in molecular immunology that started as far back as the 1980s

Make no mistake about it, Cuban scientists and doctors are gods amongst men. They have made Cuba a world power when it comes to medicine. Say what you want about Fidel, but the medical feats accomplished on that tiny little island we’re done so under Castros watchful eye; it would be foolhardy to continue to discount what he and his countries doctors and scientists have done. Doctors not bombs!

*The treatment for Covid-19 was created with the help of Chinese doctors. Unfortunately because of the “cutting off our nose in spite of our face” sanctions that the US had reinstated on Cuba when Trump became president, Americans do not have access to this effective treatment that has the potential to save lives and reduce suffering.