CARICOM ministers will meet U.S. officials in March to discuss new visa restrictions affecting governments employing Cuban medical professionals. These restrictions, announced by Secretary of State Rubio, target forced labor linked to Cuba’s labor program. Trinidad and Tobago employs many Cuban healthcare workers, with ongoing collaboration despite tense relations due to U.S. policy changes.
In March, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Foreign Affairs Ministers are scheduled to meet with U.S. officials to deliberate on a new visa restriction policy introduced by the Trump Administration. This policy will limit visas for government officials from countries employing Cuban medical practitioners, affecting even their immediate family members. The initiative aims to address concerns regarding forced labor associated with Cuba’s labor export program.
On February 25, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “The expansion of an existing Cuba-related visa restriction policy targets forced labor linked to the Cuban labor export program,” impacting not only Cuban officials but also foreign diplomats believed to perpetuate this practice. Rubio emphasized that the Cuban government benefits from a coercive labor system, negatively affecting the medical care available to its citizens.
Trinidad and Tobago engages numerous Cuban healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists, yet attempts by Guardian Media to ascertain specific numbers from the Ministry of Health were unsuccessful. The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Roshan Parasram, directed inquiries to the ministry’s communications department, but no response was received.
Dr. Amery Browne, CARICOM Foreign and Affairs Minister, confirmed that the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) had convened recently and decided to seek clarification from the State Department about this visa policy. He also announced that a meeting is scheduled for the second week of March with U.S. envoy Mauricio Claver-Carone in Washington, D.C.
In light of these developments, Cuban Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Gustavo Veliz, requested more time to comment on the situation when approached for his thoughts. Nonetheless, he previously affirmed the resilience of the bilateral relationship between Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago, regardless of the tightened sanctions imposed by the new administration.
Ambassador Veliz highlighted that a Cuban Health Brigade has been active in Trinidad and Tobago for over twenty years and continued to provide services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, a contract for the extension of medical collaboration was signed in November 2024, affirming ongoing cooperation in healthcare despite geopolitical challenges.
The planned meeting in March between CARICOM Foreign Affairs Ministers and U.S. officials underscores the significant implications of President Trump’s visa restrictions on Cuban medical professionals. These restrictions are designed to combat forced labor while impacting both government officials and their family members. The ongoing medical collaboration between Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago displays the complexity of international relations in the healthcare sector despite policy shifts. Further clarification from U.S. officials is anticipated during the upcoming discussions.
Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com
