Despite the sanctions announced by the United States government against Central American officials linked to the Cuban medical export program, Mexico has reaffirmed its commitment to the healthcare cooperation it maintains with the Havana regime.
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, defended this Wednesday the legitimacy of the program through which millions of dollars have been transferred to the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel.
"There is a contract for Cuban doctors to assist the population in Mexico. We see no problem with that," the leader stated at a press conference.
Sheinbaum rejected the accusations from Washington, which claims that the Cuban regime uses these medical agreements as mechanisms for forced labor.
"First of all, it's not forced labor, no. Well, they would have to prove that. In the case of Mexico, there is a contract with Cuba and other countries, due to the issues Mexico faced during the neoliberal period, as they stopped training doctors," he pointed out.
Sanctions for "medical exploitation"
Sheinbaum's stance comes a day after the U.S. Department of State announced visa restrictions on Central American officials for participating in the recruitment programs of Cuba's "medical missions."
The specific names and countries have not been disclosed, but the statement emphasizes that the sanctions also apply to the relatives of those involved.
“Access to a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. We are committed to combating human trafficking, including forced labor,” stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio when announcing the measure.
Rubio emphasized that these missions "enrich the Cuban regime while depriving the Cuban people of essential medical care and exploiting the workers involved in them."
Medical brigades: A modern form of slavery
According to the State Department, the Cuban medical brigade export program represents a form of modern labor slavery, as it places professionals under severe conditions of control, passport retention, and salary deductions by the Cuban government.
Although these missions have been praised in some communities for addressing the lack of healthcare, human rights organizations and various governments classify them as political and economic instruments of the regime.
The new sanctions by the United States send a strong message to other countries that maintain close ties with Havana in strategic sectors such as health and education.
Frequently asked questions about the Cuban medical missions program and Mexico's stance
Why does the United States impose sanctions on countries that hire Cuban doctors?
The United States considers that the program of Cuban medical missions constitutes a form of forced labor and human trafficking. According to Washington, Cuban doctors are sent abroad under conditions of labor exploitation, with restrictions on movement and withholding of salaries by the Cuban government.
What is Mexico's stance on Cuban medical missions?
Mexico, under the leadership of Claudia Sheinbaum, defends the legitimacy of the medical cooperation program with Cuba. Sheinbaum believes that the agreements are necessary to address the shortage of doctors in Mexico and has rejected the accusations of forced labor made by the United States.
What do supporters of Cuban medical missions say about the accusations of exploitation?
Supporters such as the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines consider Cuban doctors to be essential for their healthcare systems. They argue that the involvement of Cuban doctors abroad is beneficial for the host countries and that the criticisms are exaggerated or misunderstood.
How does the relationship between Cuba and other countries affect the sanctions imposed by the United States?
The sanctions imposed by the United States aim to pressure countries that have agreements with Cuba to reconsider their cooperation in health. This has led to diplomatic tensions, as some Caribbean and Latin American countries defend Cuban medical cooperation as essential for their health services.
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