PM: Gov’t still hopeful Cuban medical programme can be made ‘compliant’
Published:Friday | March 20, 2026 | 12:12 AMKimone Francis/Senior Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has sought to counter a growing argument that Jamaica abandoned Cuba when his administration ended the 50-year medical cooperation programme earlier this month, insisting that the Government has stood up for its Caribbean neighbour.
Speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday, while making his contribution to the 2026-2027 Budget Debate, Holness reiterated the Government’s position that aspects of the programme, including how medics were being paid, run counter to local laws and several international conventions.
Holness, in his first public speech on the matter since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade announced the decision, said the Government remained “hopeful” that adjustments can be made to the programme to make it “compliant” and that both countries can reach an agreement to continue having the direct services of Cuban medics.
“We continue to be hopeful that some agreement, arrangement, some changes can be made to the programme. We continue to be,” the prime minister said.
On March 5, the Government announced that it would discontinue its medical cooperation programme with Cuba, ending a five-decade-long relationship under which healthcare workers from the communist nation filled key gaps in the local public health system.
The decision came amid a US-sanctioned oil blockade, failing infrastructure, and increasing economic pressure on the Spanish-speaking country.
Critics of the Holness administration have argued that the decision was triggered by directives from the United States (US) as President Donald Trump revives the 1823 Monroe Doctrine within the region.
On Tuesday, dozens of Jamaicans participated in a ‘Gratitude Walk’ in downtown Kingston to honour Cuban healthcare workers for their service to Jamaicans.
Yesterday, Holness pushed back at the narrative, noting that for the past 11 years, the Lower House has debated motions on the US-imposed embargo on Cuba.
“My administration did that,” he said, adding that this was a continuation of positions held by previous administrations.
“So this notion about abandoning friends, look here, man, keep that in the ‘70s.We are in a different era now,” said Holness.
MOMENT FOR REFORM
He said this argument has been made clear in his dialogue with the international community.
“When I spoke at CARICOM, I spoke fairly and frankly. As our closest neighbour, we are concerned for the situation in Cuba. Through CARICOM, Jamaica will continue to do its part for support for our brothers and sisters in Cuba,” he said, noting press reports have indicated talks between the US and Cuba.
“This is a moment for reform and reset and we are hopeful for a positive outcome. In all of what is being said and insinuated, there’s one question that must be answered. What would the PNP have done?” said Holness.
Earlier in his speech, Holness acknowledged the current geopolitical climate, noting that Jamaica must be strategic.
“We cannot go down the road of ideology and rhetoric. Been there, done that. Foreign policy is about having a clear framework of principles and values, within which we pursue our interest, while treating with the interests and power of others with whom we engage,” he said.
“My administration has always ensured that our foreign policy serves our economic interests. Whatever I do must make sure that Jamaica can recover quickly ... . And we see the benefits of our foreign policy efforts in the swift mobilisation of relief and access to over US$6 billion of reconstruction funds from the multilateral financial system.
“I don’t want anybody talk about foreign policy because there’s no other era in which Jamaica’s foreign policy has delivered economic benefits to the people of Jamaica. A strong multilateral system is in Jamaica’s interests, and we will always do our part to ensure it works,” Holness said.
He noted that a strong multilateral system is in Jamaica’s interests and said his Government will do its part to ensure it works.
“The essence of agency is that you act of your own will. As a responsible member of the global community, Jamaica will always take the necessary action to be compliant with all our obligations in the multilateral systems,” he said.