Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has declared her readiness to face potential U.S. visa revocation in defense of the Cuban medical brigade program, emphasizing the profound impact of Cuban healthcare professionals on Caribbean nations. She urged Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to articulate the benefits received from Cuban medical assistance, highlighting that Barbados couldn’t have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic without the support of Cuban nurses and doctors.
The U.S. government recently announced visa restrictions targeting officials involved in Cuba’s international medical missions, labeling them as “forced labor” practices that enrich the Cuban regime. Cuban authorities and Caribbean leaders have dismissed these allegations, emphasizing the essential healthcare services provided by Cuban professionals in the region.
Prime Minister Mottley underscored that, although Barbados currently doesn’t employ Cuban medical staff, the nation’s healthcare system heavily relied on Cuban assistance during critical periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. She expressed willingness to face personal consequences, including visa revocation, to uphold the integrity and benefits of the Cuban medical program.
Other CARICOM leaders have echoed Mottley’s sentiments. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley stated his preparedness to lose his U.S. visa rather than compromise his nation’s healthcare services. Similarly, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves emphasized the indispensable role of Cuban medical personnel in his country’s healthcare system, expressing a preference for visa loss over jeopardizing citizens’ health.
Jamaica’s Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith also highlighted the significance of Cuban medical professionals, noting that over 400 Cuban doctors, nurses, and technicians are integral to Jamaica’s healthcare infrastructure.
