The United States has declared its intention to restrict the visas of several African leaders, potentially including those from Kenya, due to their healthcare systems employing Cuban physicians.
According to a statement released by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, the penalties would target government officials in Africa, Cuba, and Grenada who are accused of being involved in what Washington refers to as Cuba’s “coerced forced labour export scheme.”
“The State Department is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on several government officials from Africa, Cuba and Grenada who are complicit in the Cuban regime’s coerced forced labour export scheme. We are committed to ending this practice. Countries that are complicit in this exploitative practice should think twice,” the statement reads.
The Cuban doctors’ initiative was implemented in Kenya in 2018 under the government of then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, and the country was one of those that profited from it.
As part of the initiative, Kenyan physicians were flown to Cuba for training and several Cuban specialists were sent to Kenyan hospitals.
However, after being in effect for six years, the agreement was terminated in 2023. The Kenyan government ended the agreement, citing the need to support local healthcare workers in addressing issues such as high unemployment rates.
The US government claims that the Cuban medical mission programme involves paying doctors to travel abroad, with the Cuban government pocketing the majority of the profits rather than the doctors.
Washington claims that this practice deprives island residents of proper medical treatment while benefiting Cuba’s political elite.
The statement said that participating states should pay physicians directly for their services rather than transferring money through the Cuban government, whom the US referred to as ‘regime slave masters’.
The United States also urged countries that uphold democracy and human rights to unite in opposing what it termed the Cuban regime’s persecution.
“The United States aims to support the Cuban people in their pursuit of freedom and dignity, and to promote accountability for those who exploit them.”
Although the list of targeted officials has not been released to the public, Washington has indicated that it will continue to engage with governments and take additional action if necessary.
The Cuban medical programme, which has been in effect since the Cuban Revolution in 1959, was the target of broader visa restrictions imposed by the administration of former US President Donald Trump in February.
This long-running programme has been a vital source of foreign exchange for Cuba, which is currently experiencing inflation and shortages due to its economic crisis.
