Mexico may have covered up threat of swine flu outbreak - Castro
10:1315/05/2009 HAVANA, May 15 (RIA Novosti) - Mexico may have concealed the threat of an outbreak of the swine flu virus, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has said.
Writing in his Reflections column, Castro said the Mexicans may have known about the virus before the first case was officially confirmed on April 23, six days after a visit by U.S. President Barack Obama.
"Is it possible that in Mexico on April 16 or 17 no one knew about an epidemic that would be all over the world, in six days time?"
"Could the American intelligence services... not have known about what was just about to happen?" he went on.
He also labeled the U.S. and Mexico "world exporters" of swine flu, saying that "it's possible the spread of the virus could have been avoided."
The leader of the Cuban Revolution also defended Havana's decision to cut direct flights to Mexico, saying Cuba had been forced to do as Washington's economic blockade made it impossible for the country to purchase the necessary U.S. medical equipment to fight the virus.
Seventy people, 64 in Mexico, four in U.S., one in Canada and one in Costa Rica are so far known to have died from the virus.
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