WASHINGTON, DC – THE US State Department on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 13) announced visa restrictions on government officials whose administrations continue to partner with Cuba’s international medical brigade.
In a statement, the department said: "Today, the Department of State took steps to impose visa restrictions on African, Cuban, and Grenadan government officials, and their family members, for their complicity in the Cuban regime’s medical mission scheme in which medical professionals are ‘rented’ by other countries at high prices and most of the revenue is kept by the Cuban authorities. This scheme enriches the corrupt Cuban regime while depriving the Cuban people of essential medical care.”
Washington has long urged countries to sever ties with the Cuban health missions, accusing them of engaging in forced labor and extortion. The department reiterated that it has encouraged "governments to pay the doctors directly for their services, not the regime slave masters”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a recent Caribbean tour, doubled down on the policy, saying in a post to X today (Aug. 13) that the aim is to support the Cuban people in their pursuit of "freedom and dignity and promote accountability for those who perpetuate their exploitation.” He called on nations that value democracy and human rights to join the US in confronting the alleged abuses.
According to the Associated Press, Cuba has more than 20,000 medical professionals deployed worldwide, providing critical health care and services. Caribbean leaders have pushed back against Washington’s stance, insisting the doctors are paid directly and often earn more than local counterparts.
As of publication time, the Government of Grenada had not issued an official statement.
