Related videos:
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda denied this weekend the rumors that the United States plans to revoke visas or impose travel restrictions against citizens of the island due to their relationship with Cuba and the hiring of doctors from the island.
Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications at the Prime Minister's Office, labeled those reports as "fake news" and assured that there is no threat of visa denials or official visits with Washington.
“No existe ninguna amenaza de retirada de visitas por parte de funcionarios de Estados Unidos o de Antigua y Barbuda por no poder obtener visas,” Merchant stated in remarks quoted by Antigua Observer.
The official acknowledged that the State Department has expressed concern about the medical cooperation programs with Cuba, which Washington sees as a form of “human trafficking.” However, he insisted that his country holds a different perspective and that Cuban doctors are a cornerstone of local healthcare.
"United States considers that Cuba's medical missions constitute human trafficking. We hold a different opinion," emphasized Merchant, as reported by Antigua News.
The clarification comes at a time of escalating tensions in the Caribbean. At the end of August, the Minister of Finance of Grenada, Dennis Cornwall, became the first high-ranking official in the region to lose all of his U.S. visas for openly supporting the presence of Cuban medical brigades in his country.
The measure left him without access to key meetings in organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, highlighting the lengths to which Washington is willing to go in its offensive against what it labels as "forced labor."
Similar cases have impacted Central American governments and Bahamas, which, under pressure from the United States, decided to pay Cuban doctors directly to avoid sanctions.
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has described these missions as “atrocious practices”, although he has acknowledged that he will evaluate the Caribbean contracts on a case-by-case basis.
Diplomacy in Balance
For Antigua and Barbuda, cooperation with Havana is "fundamental" in providing medical services, but at the same time, the government insists that it values the strategic relationship with the United States.
Merchant announced that adjustments are being made to address Washington's concerns without sacrificing the benefits that the country receives from Cuban cooperation.
“The Republic of Cuba remains an important partner in providing and developing healthcare in Antigua and Barbuda,” he emphasized, “but at the same time, we value our relationship with the United States and are making adjustments to ensure we maintain a good relationship with both countries.”
With its message, the government seeks to calm the unrest generated by the rumors and to show that, unlike Grenada, the small island state prefers to opt for a balanced diplomacy that allows it to maintain its healthcare system with Cuban support, without closing the door to Washington.
Filed under: