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The future of the Cuban medical brigade in the Bahamas is entering a decisive phase. The government of the Caribbean archipelago is awaiting approval from the United States to implement a direct contract system with the professionals from the island, without the mediation of the Cuban state agency that for decades has taken the majority of their salaries, reported the media Caribbean Life.
The Minister of Health, Michael Darville, confirmed that Washington has requested a review of the new agreements, which have already been sent for analysis. If approved, Cuban doctors currently working in the Bahamas would sign directly with the local Ministry of Health, ensuring that their salaries are paid in full.
So far, the doctors received less than 15% of the 12 thousand dollars per month that Bahamas paid for each one; the rest remained in the hands of the Cuban Medical Services Marketing Company (CSMC).
Several former collaborators reported that even when the deposits arrived directly at the bank, they were forced to transfer the money to accounts controlled by the regime, in a scheme that Washington has described as "forced labor" and "human trafficking."
The pressure from the U.S. and the Bahamian crossroads
The change is a response to pressures from the United States, which under the administration of Donald Trump and with the current Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, , valued at over 4.9 billion dollars annually.
High-ranking U.S. officials warned of migration sanctions, including the revocation of visas for Caribbean officials linked to the program, if the abuses were not corrected. The Bahamas, along with Antigua and Guyana, was one of the first countries to acknowledge the need to modify the scheme.
“We are very proud of the efforts of the Bahamians... Everyone deserves to have their salaries delivered directly to them without government intervention,” stated Kimberly Furnish, Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S., as reported by Caribbean Life.
Doctors caught between three fires
In June, the government of Nassau announced that it would cancel existing contracts with Cuban medical brigades, although it offered direct agreements to those who wish to stay. Currently, only 35 healthcare professionals—ophthalmologists, nurses, laboratory technicians, and physiotherapists, among others—are working in the country.
Most have expressed their desire to stay in the Bahamas, where they are essential for a healthcare system that is struggling with staff shortages. But their future remains uncertain, pending the decision from Washington and under the threat of potential reprisals from Havana.
“Cuban doctors want to stay, but we depend on what the United States says”, admitted Minister Darville in comments to the local press.
With the possibility of signing contracts free from the Cuban government's salary confiscation, doctors in the Bahamas see a historic opportunity on the horizon. An opportunity that could mark the beginning of the end of a model that has been identified as one of the most visible forms of labor exploitation from Havana.
Frequently asked questions about the situation of Cuban doctors in the Bahamas
Why does Bahamas want to pay Cuban doctors directly?
The Bahamas wants to pay Cuban doctors directly to prevent most of their salaries from being withheld by the Cuban regime. Until now, the Cuban Medical Services Commercializer (CSMC) retained more than 85% of the payments that the Bahamas made for each doctor. This change aims to ensure that healthcare professionals receive their full salaries and to avoid accusations of forced labor.
What is the role of the United States in the hiring of Cuban doctors in the Bahamas?
The United States has pressured the Bahamas to modify the hiring model for Cuban doctors, labeling the current system as forced labor and human trafficking. Under the administration of Donald Trump, and continued by Marco Rubio, the U.S. has warned of immigration sanctions if these abuses are not corrected, advocating for a system where salaries go directly to the workers.
What benefits do Cuban doctors expect if the new payment system is approved?
If the new payment system is approved, Cuban doctors would receive their full salaries without the intervention of the Cuban government. This would represent a significant increase in their personal income, as they previously received only less than 15% of what the Bahamas paid for their services. Additionally, they would be able to sign contracts directly with the Bahamian government, granting them greater work freedom.
How does this affect Cuba's medical export model?
The change in Bahamas poses a threat to Cuba's medical export model, which generates over 4.9 billion dollars annually for the Cuban regime. By allowing doctors to receive their full salaries, the portion that the Cuban government can retain is significantly reduced, which could prompt other countries to reconsider their agreements with Havana.
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