Cuba approves euthanasia

Cuban Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda maintained that the new law "is updated, comprehensive, protective, collectively built, innovative and ethical."

The National Assembly of Cuba approved a new Health Law that opens the way to euthanasia. Minister of Health José Ángel Portal Miranda assured that the new regulations are “updated, comprehensive, protective, collectively built, innovative and ethical."

Portal Miranda published a message on X (formerly Twitter) accompanied by a statement on the new law. … The law ratifies the fundamental value of public health as a pillar of the revolution and the development of our society. It places human dignity at the center, both in the present and in the future of our Homeland," Portal Miranda wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter).

"The right of people to a dignified death is recognized in end-of-life decisions, which may include the limitation of therapeutic effort, continuous or palliative care, and valid procedures that end life,” states the final draft of the legislation that was obtained by Reuters.

‘In harmony with the legal system of Cuban society,’ says Cuban minister of health

With the measure, Cuba became the second country in Latin America and the Caribbean to authorize euthanasia, following Colombia.

“If we had to summarize the Public Health Bill in a few words, we would have to say that it is updated, comprehensive, protective, collectively built, innovative and ethical, committed to such core principles as human dignity, coherent, in harmony with the legal system of Cuban society, necessary and pertinent, respectful, inclusive, visionary, focused on the most sacred human rights: the health and life of people,” said José Angel Portal Miranda in conversation with Cuba Debate.