Cuban Minister of Justice Oscar Silvera reaffirmed the island’s zero-tolerance policy on drugs this Thursday. During a press conference, Silvera, who also serves as president of the National Drug Commission, explained that the nation faces greater challenges today in confronting this scourge, due to the international presence of more diverse and potent narcotics.
He also asserted that the presence and consumption of drugs in the country is limited, although it exists, and emphasized that they are working together with various sectors of society to combat this type of behavior based on a preventative approach.
“The National Drug Commission unites all the efforts of the community, government institutions, mass organizations, and families to raise awareness and foster rejection of illicit substances and reaffirm the premise that we can win against drugs.”
For his part, the head of the Specialized Anti-Drug Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of the Interior (Minint), Colonel Juan Carlos Poey, asserted that Cuba, despite not being a producer, storage, or trafficking country of narcotics, suffers attempts at their introduction, mostly by sea.
He also stated that “between 2024 and 2025, 72 operations originating from 11 different sources have been detected,” which necessitates the constant improvement of the technology and personnel involved in these efforts.
Poey referred to synthetic cannabinoids, popularly known as “chemicals,” highlighting their potency and diversification into more than 40 formulations.
“We will increase investigations and legal rigor against these actors, although it is also important to strengthen communication efforts to prevent the beginning of this type of activity,” Colonel Juan Carlos Poey added.
The Chief of Staff of the Border Guard Troops Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior (Minint), First Colonel Ivey Carballo, noted that Cuba’s strategic position on the South-North trafficking route is what necessitates the use of its maritime space for these purposes.
He also highlighted the institution’s work in confronting and combating drug trafficking, emphasizing the unwavering support of the Cuban people, who frequently assist in reporting and temporarily receiving packages containing illicit substances found at sea.
Cuba is working consciously and systematically to eradicate drugs, an international scourge that has no place in the foundations and principles upon which Cuban society is built.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
