First Panama Eye Patients in Cuba
The first group of 74 eye patients from Panama will undergo free surgery in Cuba as part of Operation Miracle.

The group was welcomed at Jose Marti International Airport by Panama President Martin Torrijos and Cuban Health Minister Jose Ramon Balaguer.

Torijos said Operation Miracle, co-sponsored by Cuba and Venezuela, "has restored hope and sight to thousands" of Latin Americans and Caribbean people.

He marked the gesture as the first step toward setting fresh ties of cooperation, fraternity and understanding between both countries.

Minister Balaguer said it is key goal for the Cuban Revolution to contribute to the happiness and unity of Latin America, such as restoring eyesight.

Torrijos thanked the Cuban people and government for performing free operations on poor Panamanians and said his visit was a token of appreciation for solidarity despite difficulties.

Panama joins Venezuela, Paraguay, Bolivia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines which have had poor citizens receive free ophthalmology surgery in Cuba..

Torrijos is accompanied by Health Minister Camilo Alleyne, Deputy Health Minister Dora Jara, several officials and journalists.