Guyana takes tactful approach to US policy on Cuban medical professionals

Emphasising that the government does not conduct diplomacy in the public domain, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said that the US State Department is being actively engaged on the issue of Cuban medical professionals in Guyana.

Earlier this year, the US threatened to restrict the visas of government officials and their families associated with the Cuban medical missions, following a declaration by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Cuban medical staff were operating under “forced labour” conditions.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing last Thursday, Dr Jagdeo said the engagement is aimed at reaching a fair solution.

“I can assure you that there is both regional and national engagement with the US State Department on these matters. We want to have Cuban professionals working in our health system—they have been an invaluable support to our healthcare sector—but we also want to ensure that they have free choice. This is something that we are working on with the US government,” Dr Jagdeo emphasised.

Several Caribbean leaders, including Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley; Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley; St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves; and Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, have publicly acknowledged the contributions of Cuban medical professionals to their respective countries’ healthcare systems, particularly during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. They have also denied that the employment of Cuban healthcare professionals involves forced labour.

Vice President Jagdeo noted that the government is confident in the diplomatic approach it has adopted on the matter.

“We do not conduct diplomacy in the public domain. I believe we have strong engagement with the Trump administration and the State Department that will allow this matter to be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. That is how we will approach it,” Dr Jagdeo stated.

The Cuban Medical Brigade reportedly has a presence in over 50 countries, with almost 25,000 of its citizens operating worldwide. Cuba has exported its medical professionals as a valued service, which many countries have described as nothing short of a “blessing.”