WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott sent the following letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken again urging him and President Joe Biden to lift the legal immunity of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). PAHO has worked with the illegitimate communist Cuban regime to traffic Cuban doctors around the world. Senator Scott strongly believes that these doctors deserve the chance to pursue justice in the courts and hold their traffickers, and those who aided in their trafficking, responsible for their abuses. In the letter, Senator Scott makes clear that he will refuse to consent to expedited floor consideration of all relevant State Department nominees until substantial steps toward fulfilling this request are made.

Senator Scott has previously sent letters to Secretary Blinken, former President Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on this issue.

Read the full letter HERE or below.

January 31, 2021

The Honorable Antony Blinken
Secretary
United States Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Blinken:

As you can see from the attached letters, one to President Trump, one to Secretary Pompeo and one most recently to you, I have been clear about my concern regarding the human trafficking of Cuban doctors by the illegitimate communist regime in Cuba that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has aided and abetted. I have also had multiple communications with senior State Department officials, in this administration and the previous one, about the issue of PAHO’s legal immunity and the gross trafficking of Cuban physicians. Sadly, there has been no progress and no justice on this issue.

Let me be clear: victims of trafficking deserve to see their alleged abusers in court, and PAHO should never be able to hide behind immunity claims. The law is clear, and the President has the power to lift PAHO’s legal immunity and hold this corrupt organization accountable for its abuses.

I write today to again stress the importance of my request that President Biden lift the legal immunity PAHO enjoys as an international organization so that the trafficked Cuban doctors, some of whom are now residing in the United States, can pursue justice in the courts and hold responsible their traffickers and those who aided in their trafficking. Until substantial steps toward fulfilling this request are made, I will refuse to consent to expedited floor consideration of all relevant State Department nominees.

Sincerely,

Rick Scott

United States Senator

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