Cuba Claims US Pressures Nations to Cut Ties with Medical Program

Cuba's government has accused the United States of exerting intense pressure and coercion on Latin American and Caribbean countries to sever ties with its medical brigades, a program established in the 1960s. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated that the US aims to undermine the deployment of Cuban doctors, which he claims has provided essential healthcare to disadvantaged communities. This year alone, countries like Honduras, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Guyana have ended their relationships with the Cuban medical program. The Cuban government argues that the program is vital for its economy and health services, while the US has criticized it as a form of forced labor. The ongoing tensions between the two nations have escalated, with Cuba facing economic hardships partly attributed to the US embargo.

Key Details: • Cuba's medical program has been active since the 1960s. • Countries that have cut ties with the program in 2023 include Honduras, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Guyana. • Approximately 3,000 Cuban doctors are currently working in Mexico across 29 states. • Cuba claims the US embargo has exacerbated its economic and energy crisis.