The governments of Cuba and Somalia have refuted media reports that AL-Shabaab had released two Cuban doctors who were abducted last year.
On Wednesday, it was heavily reported that National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) negotiated the two doctors’ release from Al-Shabaab.
However, on Thursday, the two governments issued statements denying the initial reports.
Juan Antonio Fernandez Palacios, the General Director of the Press and Communications Department at Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the reports were false.
According to Palacios, the Cuban and Somali government continue to work closely together to locate and free the two doctors.
The two doctors, Assel Herrera and Landy Rodriguez Hernandez, were abducted in April 2019 while traveling in a car in Mandera town.
Palacios’ denial contradicts the confirmation issued by Bruno Rodriguez, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who tweeted the doctors’ release.