The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel lashed out on Wednesday against the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom he accused of leading a “perverse” campaign to dismantle the island's international medical brigades, deemed a form of modern slavery.
In his most recent appearance on the podcast Desde la Presidencia, the president described the Republican official as “a cynic who boasts about his Cuban roots and has done nothing but seek ways to harm Cuba.”
During his speech, Díaz-Canel, visibly uncomfortable with the diplomatic pressures his government faces to justify the continued presence of medical brigades abroad, accused Washington of orchestrating a “perverse campaign” aimed at preventing Cuba from generating income through the export of health services.
“They are trying to destroy an activity as noble as medical cooperation,” he said, without mentioning the documented complaints from former collaborators who have reported pressures, surveillance, and partial confiscation of their salaries during missions.
According to the Cuban leader, the criticisms from Rubio and the current administration led by Donald Trump are part of an ideological offensive to discredit what he believes to be one of the strengths of the Cuban socialist system, medicine as a "tool of international solidarity".
However, the official discourse once again ignores the legitimate concerns regarding the voluntary nature of these missions, the control exercised by the State over professionals sent abroad, and the lack of transparency in handling the generated income.
"We can withdraw the Cuban doctors if you guarantee us the replacement," a Caribbean country reportedly told U.S. officials, according to Díaz-Canel, without providing evidence or naming the country involved.
The verbal onslaught adds to a long list of statements in which the leader attempts to portray the Cuban government as a victim of an imperialist blockade, while simultaneously reinforcing the idea of a "patriotic medicine," committed to revolutionary humanism.
But beyond the triumphant rhetoric, the reality in Cuba reveals a healthcare system severely impacted by a lack of resources, the massive migration of professionals, and the structural deterioration of hospitals and polyclinics.
Despite this, the leader insists on using the issue as a pillar of political legitimacy. "Our medicine does not train professionals who measure their success by economic gains, but by human improvement," he stated, which seems more like an attempt to rhetorically defend the Cuban model against external criticism than to address the internal shortcomings of the health system itself.
Rubio, for his part, has been one of the driving forces behind sanctions against countries that hire Cuban medical brigades, which he has described as a form of “modern slavery”.
These statements have been supported by reports from international organizations that have gathered testimonies about abusive labor conditions, although Havana categorically rejects such allegations, attributing them to political maneuvers by the Cuban exile community and international right-wing groups.
Frequently asked questions about Cuban medical brigades and tensions with the United States
Why does Marco Rubio criticize Cuban medical brigades?
Marco Rubio describes Cuban medical brigades as a form of "modern slavery." According to him, Cuban doctors work in exploitative conditions, with their passports withheld and salaries seized. Rubio advocates for sanctions against countries that hire these services under such conditions. Havana denies these accusations, arguing that it is a strategy to discredit its international medical cooperation system.
How does the Cuban government respond to the accusations regarding the medical brigades?
The Cuban government, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel, defends that the medical brigades are a "tool of international solidarity." Díaz-Canel accuses the United States of orchestrating a "perverse campaign" to destroy Cuban medical cooperation. According to the regime, these missions are legitimate bilateral agreements, and the criticisms are part of an ideological offensive aimed at damaging Cuba's image.
What is the impact of the visa restrictions imposed by the United States?
The visa restrictions imposed by the United States are aimed at Cuban officials and those from other countries collaborating with medical missions under conditions deemed exploitative. These measures seek to "promote accountability for the Cuban regime" for oppressing its people. The sanctions also affect the families of those involved, increasing the pressure on the Havana regime.
What role do Cuban medical missions play in the Caribbean?
Cuban medical missions are an essential component of the health systems in several Caribbean countries. Regional leaders defend medical cooperation with Cuba, viewing it as indispensable for their health systems. Despite international criticisms, many governments in the Caribbean prefer to maintain these programs, even while facing sanctions from the United States.
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