Latest news with #medicalmissions
Reuters
6 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
US to impose visa restrictions on officials, alleging ties to Cuban labor program
WASHINGTON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday took steps to revoke or restrict visas for some African, Caribbean and Brazilian officials who Washington alleges have ties to a Cuban program that sends medical workers overseas. The State Department revoked the visas of Brazilian Ministry of Health official Mozart Julio Tabosa Sales and former Pan American Health Organization official Alberto Kleiman, Rubio said in a statement. Rubio did not name other officials who were affected but said they were from Africa, Cuba and Grenada. The Cuban government has blasted U.S. efforts to stop the medical missions, calling them a cynical excuse to go after its foreign currency earnings. Caribbean leaders have previously rejected U.S. accusations of Cuban labor exploitation. "Cuba's medical cooperation will continue," Johana Tablada, Cuba's deputy director of U.S. affairs, said on X. "His (Rubio's) priorities speak volumes: financing Israel genocide on Palestine, torturing Cuba, going after health care services for those who need them most," Tablada wrote. Brazilian Health Minister Alexandre Padilha said his government will not bow to what he called "unreasonable attacks" on Brazil's Mais Medicos, or "More Doctors," program mentioned by Rubio. The program was created in 2013. Cuba's contract in it was terminated in 2018. President Donald Trump's administration in February expanded visa restrictions to target officials believed to be tied to the Cuban program, which has sent medics around the world since the Cuban revolution in 1959. The program provides hard cash to the island nation, which is enduring its latest economic crisis. Trump has imposed a hard-line policy toward communist-run Cuba and reversed former President Joe Biden's measures. Rubio labeled the Cuban program as one where "medical professionals are 'rented' by other countries at high prices and most of the revenue is kept by the Cuban authorities." He said it enriches Cuban officials and deprives Cuban people of essential medical care. Washington will act "to bring an end to such forced labor," Rubio said, urging governments to pay doctors directly for their services. In announcing restrictions on Brazil and ex-PAHO officials, Rubio accused the branch of the World Health Organization covering Caribbean, Central and South America of acting as an intermediary to implement the program without following Brazilian constitutional requirements, and dodging U.S. sanctions.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
US to revoke visas and impose restrictions on officials, alleging ties to Cuban labor program
WASHINGTON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday took steps to revoke or restrict visas for some African, Caribbean and Brazilian officials who Washington alleges have ties to a Cuban program that sends medical workers overseas. The State Department revoked the visas of Brazilian Ministry of Health official Mozart Julio Tabosa Sales and former Pan American Health Organization official Alberto Kleiman, Rubio said in a statement. Rubio did not name the other officials who were affected but said they were from Africa, Cuba and Grenada. The Cuban government has blasted U.S. efforts to stop the medical missions, calling them a cynical excuse to go after its foreign currency earnings. Caribbean leaders have previously rejected U.S. accusations of Cuban labor exploitation. "Cuba's medical cooperation will continue," Johana Tablada, Cuba's deputy director of U.S. affairs, said on social media platform X. "His (Rubio's) priorities speak volumes: financing Israel genocide on Palestine, torturing Cuba, going after health care services for those who need them most," Tablada wrote. President Donald Trump's administration in February expanded visa restrictions to target officials believed to be tied to the Cuban program, which has sent medics to countries around the world since the Cuban revolution in 1959. The program provides hard cash to the island nation, which is enduring its latest economic crisis. Since taking office, Trump has imposed a hard-line U.S. policy toward communist-run Cuba and reversed measures put in place by former President Joe Biden. Rubio described the Cuban program as one in which "medical professionals are 'rented' by other countries at high prices and most of the revenue is kept by the Cuban authorities." He said it enriches Cuban officials while depriving Cuban people of essential medical care. Washington "will take action as needed to bring an end to such forced labor," Rubio said, urging governments to pay doctors directly for their services and not the Cuban government. In announcing restrictions on Brazil and former PAHO officials, Rubio accused the branch of the World Health Organization that covers the Caribbean, Central and South America of acting as an intermediary to implement the program without following Brazilian constitutional requirements, and dodging U.S. sanctions.
The Independent
17-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Cuban diplomat defends foreign medical missions under pressure from US
A senior Cuban diplomat has accused the Trump administration of trying to discredit the thousands of Cuban doctors working around the world and deprive the country of an important source of income. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, who was at U.N. headquarters this week for a debate on sanctions, told The Associated Press that the U.S. is putting pressure on other countries and financial institutions to break their ties with Cuba. Cossio said over the decades Cuba has sent more than 100,000 doctors to more than 70 countries to provide much needed medical care. More than 22,000 doctors are now working in more than 50 countries, according to the government. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described the program as 'forced labor.' He announced visa restrictions in late February on Cuban and foreign government officials involved in Cuba's medical missions. In June, the Trump administration imposed visa restrictions on several unidentified officials from Central America for their involvement with the Cuban program. And in a letter obtained by AP last week, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights asked the 34 members of the Organization of American States for details of any agreements with Cuba for medical missions. It specifically requested information on whether the medical workers have labor and union rights, and about any labor complaints. The commission, an independent body of the OAS, which is heavily funded by the United States, said it would analyze the data and make recommendations, 'given the persistence of reports of rights violations.' The State Department said Tuesday it was pleased its action 'has prompted meaningful discussion of this exploitative labor export program after years of denial.' It said the U.S. will not stop raising these issues until Cuba curtails the 'forced labor' of its own citizens. Cossio defended the program in an interview on Monday. He said all Cuban doctors working abroad receive their regular salary, plus 'a dignified stipend.' Starting about 15 years ago, he said, Cuba began receiving compensation from wealthier countries for providing the doctors. That money covers the stipends, with the rest going to finance Cuba's public health system, he said. Cossio accused the United States of trying to discredit the medical missions, first by saying that Cuba was not sending doctors but agents to 'subvert' these counties. He said the U.S. then accused Cuba of human trafficking and put pressure on the countries that have agreements with Cuba to refuse any future medical missions. He said the U.S. wanted to stop the praise Cuba has received for sending doctors to many poor and developing countries and to deprive Cuba of a "legitimate source of income.' Cossio said Cuba would not break its agreements. Cossio also criticized the Trump administration for reversing a U.S. policy of welcoming Cubans into the country. The administration has started cracking down on Cubans who have entered the U.S. since October 2022 on two-year permits to live and work, a Biden administration program known as humanitarian parole. President Donald Trump this month also announced additional restrictions on visitors from Cuba, among other countries. The restrictions have come as a shock to the 2.4 million Cuban-Americans. They strongly backed the Republican president in both elections and have long enjoyed a place of privilege in the U.S. immigration system.
Washington Post
17-06-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Cuban diplomat defends foreign medical missions under pressure from US
UNITED NATIONS — A senior Cuban diplomat has accused the Trump administration of trying to discredit the thousands of Cuban doctors working around the world and deprive the country of an important source of income. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, who was at U.N. headquarters this week for a debate on sanctions, told The Associated Press that the U.S. is putting pressure on other countries and financial institutions to break their ties with Cuba. Cossio said over the decades Cuba has sent more than 100,000 doctors to more than 70 countries to provide much needed medical care. More than 22,000 doctors are now working in more than 50 countries, according to the government. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described the program as 'forced labor.' He announced visa restrictions in late February on Cuban and foreign government officials involved in Cuba's medical missions. In June, the Trump administration imposed visa restrictions on several unidentified officials from Central America for their involvement with the Cuban program. And in a letter obtained by AP last week , the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights asked the 34 members of the Organization of American States for details of any agreements with Cuba for medical missions. It specifically requested information on whether the medical workers have labor and union rights, and about any labor complaints. The commission, an independent body of the OAS, which is heavily funded by the United States, said it would analyze the data and make recommendations, 'given the persistence of reports of rights violations.' The State Department said Tuesday it was pleased its action 'has prompted meaningful discussion of this exploitative labor export program after years of denial.' It said the U.S. will not stop raising these issues until Cuba curtails the 'forced labor' of its own citizens. Cossio defended the program in an interview on Monday. He said all Cuban doctors working abroad receive their regular salary, plus 'a dignified stipend.' Starting about 15 years ago, he said, Cuba began receiving compensation from wealthier countries for providing the doctors. That money covers the stipends, with the rest going to finance Cuba's public health system, he said. Cossio accused the United States of trying to discredit the medical missions, first by saying that Cuba was not sending doctors but agents to 'subvert' these counties. He said the U.S. then accused Cuba of human trafficking and put pressure on the countries that have agreements with Cuba to refuse any future medical missions. He said the U.S. wanted to stop the praise Cuba has received for sending doctors to many poor and developing countries and to deprive Cuba of a 'legitimate source of income.' Cossio said Cuba would not break its agreements. Cossio also criticized the Trump administration for reversing a U.S. policy of welcoming Cubans into the country. The administration has started cracking down on Cubans who have entered the U.S. since October 2022 on two-year permits to live and work, a Biden administration program known as humanitarian parole. President Donald Trump this month also announced additional restrictions on visitors from Cuba, among other countries. The restrictions have come as a shock to the 2.4 million Cuban-Americans. They strongly backed the Republican president in both elections and have long enjoyed a place of privilege in the U.S. immigration system.
Associated Press
17-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Cuban diplomat defends foreign medical missions under pressure from US
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A senior Cuban diplomat has accused the Trump administration of trying to discredit the thousands of Cuban doctors working around the world and deprive the country of an important source of income. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, who was at U.N. headquarters this week for a debate on sanctions, told The Associated Press that the U.S. is putting pressure on other countries and financial institutions to break their ties with Cuba. Cossio said over the decades Cuba has sent more than 100,000 doctors to more than 70 countries to provide much needed medical care. More than 22,000 doctors are now working in more than 50 countries, according to the government. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described the program as 'forced labor.' He announced visa restrictions in late February on Cuban and foreign government officials involved in Cuba's medical missions. In June, the Trump administration imposed visa restrictions on several unidentified officials from Central America for their involvement with the Cuban program. And in a letter obtained by AP last week, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights asked the 34 members of the Organization of American States for details of any agreements with Cuba for medical missions. It specifically requested information on whether the medical workers have labor and union rights, and about any labor complaints. The commission, an independent body of the OAS, which is heavily funded by the United States, said it would analyze the data and make recommendations, 'given the persistence of reports of rights violations.' The State Department said Tuesday it was pleased its action 'has prompted meaningful discussion of this exploitative labor export program after years of denial.' It said the U.S. will not stop raising these issues until Cuba curtails the 'forced labor' of its own citizens. Cossio defended the program in an interview on Monday. He said all Cuban doctors working abroad receive their regular salary, plus 'a dignified stipend.' Starting about 15 years ago, he said, Cuba began receiving compensation from wealthier countries for providing the doctors. That money covers the stipends, with the rest going to finance Cuba's public health system, he said. Cossio accused the United States of trying to discredit the medical missions, first by saying that Cuba was not sending doctors but agents to 'subvert' these counties. He said the U.S. then accused Cuba of human trafficking and put pressure on the countries that have agreements with Cuba to refuse any future medical missions. He said the U.S. wanted to stop the praise Cuba has received for sending doctors to many poor and developing countries and to deprive Cuba of a 'legitimate source of income.' Cossio said Cuba would not break its agreements. Cossio also criticized the Trump administration for reversing a U.S. policy of welcoming Cubans into the country. The administration has started cracking down on Cubans who have entered the U.S. since October 2022 on two-year permits to live and work, a Biden administration program known as humanitarian parole. President Donald Trump this month also announced additional restrictions on visitors from Cuba, among other countries. The restrictions have come as a shock to the 2.4 million Cuban-Americans. They strongly backed the Republican president in both elections and have long enjoyed a place of privilege in the U.S. immigration system.
