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The United States reaffirmed on Thursday its commitment to take action against individuals involved in the exportation system of Cuban medical personnel, which it describes as a mechanism of exploitation and forced labor that economically benefits the island's government.
In messages posted this Thursday on the social media platform X, the Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs of the U.S. State Department described Brazil's Mais Médicos program as "a diplomatic scam" that exploited Cuban doctors, enriched the "corrupt Cuban regime," and was covered up by Brazilian officials and former executives of the Pan American Health Organization.
"There is no doubt: the United States will continue to hold accountable all individuals linked to this coercive scheme of exporting medical labor," he stated.
The office also warned that Washington “will not remain silent” while the Cuban government “unjustly enriches itself” through this system.
He added that he will continue to take action against anyone responsible for or involved in the withholding of passports and the theft of salaries from Cuban professionals until these practices cease.
The United States has maintained sanctions and restrictions for years against officials, intermediaries, and Cuban state entities involved in the management of medical brigades abroad, arguing that they constitute a form of forced labor and violate basic labor rights.
These new warnings from the U.S. government come just hours after U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced that Washington will impose visa restrictions on several Cuban government officials, as well as those from African countries and Grenada, due to their involvement in what he described as a forced labor scheme linked to the export of Cuban medical services.
Rubio also stated that he will impose migration sanctions against several officials in the Brazilian government and former executives of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) due to their involvement in the Mais Médicos program, which operated with Cuban personnel under what Washington described as a slave labor system.
However, amidst these announcements, Havana stated that it would continue to send medical brigades abroad, which has been denounced by international organizations as a source of financing for the regime.
Frequently Asked Questions about the trafficking of Cuban doctors and U.S. sanctions.
Why does the United States consider the Mais Médicos program a "diplomatic scam"?
The United States describes the Mais Médicos program as a "diplomatic scam" because it believes that it exploits Cuban doctors, enriches the Cuban regime, and is covered up by Brazilian officials and the Pan American Health Organization. Washington argues that this program operates under conditions of forced labor that violate basic labor rights.
What measures is the United States taking against those involved in the trafficking of Cuban doctors?
The United States is imposing immigration sanctions and visa restrictions on officials from several countries, including Brazil and Cuba, who are involved in the scheme of exporting Cuban medical personnel. These measures aim to hold accountable those participating in what Washington describes as "forced labor" and "labor exploitation" of Cuban doctors.
How does the Cuban regime respond to U.S. sanctions regarding the medical export program?
The Cuban regime has declared that it will continue sending medical brigades abroad, despite the sanctions imposed by the United States. It refers to these sanctions as an "imposition and aggression," and defends its medical missions as "absolutely legitimate," stating that they "save lives and alleviate communities" in many countries.
What is the economic impact of Cuban medical missions for the Havana regime?
The Cuban regime earns over 4.9 billion dollars a year from medical missions, according to reports from the United States government. Washington accuses Havana of withholding a large portion of the doctors' salaries and using them as a tool for political influence and a source of income, under conditions that violate international labor standards.
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