Caricom Ministers to Discuss US Visa Restrictions on Cuban Medical Professionals

Caricom Foreign Affairs Ministers are set to meet US officials in March to discuss the Trump Administration’s visa restrictions targeting Cuban medical professionals, impacting government officials and their families. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these measures aim to address forced labor related to Cuba’s labor export program. The meeting aims to clarify concerns regarding these policies and their implications for Caribbean nations.

A meeting is being arranged for March between United States officials and Caribbean Community (Caricom) Foreign Affairs Ministers to discuss the newly implemented visa restrictions targeting Cuban medical professionals. This policy, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, extends to government officials from countries employing Cuban medical practitioners and their immediate family members.

Rubio emphasized that this visa restriction is part of an effort to combat forced labor associated with the Cuban labor export program. The intent is to hold accountable not only Cuban government officials but also foreign officials linked to these abuses, especially concerning Cuba’s overseas medical missions.

The statement highlighted that the Cuban government benefits from exploitative labor practices that hinder its citizens from obtaining necessary medical services. While Caribbean nations, including Trinidad and Tobago, utilize Cuban medical professionals, attempts to ascertain the exact number employed have been unsuccessful.

Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr. Amery Browne revealed that the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) met to seek clarifications from the State Department related to this policy. A further meeting between COFCOR Ministers and the US envoy Mauricio Claver-Carone is planned for the second week of March.

Cuban Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Gustavo Veliz, requested time before responding to inquiries regarding the implications of this policy. He previously assured that economic, health, and educational collaborations would continue despite the tightening of US sanctions, emphasizing the longstanding presence of a Cuban Health Brigade in Trinidad and Tobago since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The upcoming meeting between Caricom officials and US representatives aims to address concerns surrounding the Trump Administration’s visa restrictions affecting Cuban medical practitioners. This policy is intended to combat coercive labor practices linked to Cuba’s medical service exports. Despite tension from the sanctions, diplomatic ties, especially in health collaboration, between Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba appear to remain robust.

Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com