Holness firm on Cuban docs
PM defends use of medical missions; Rubio says exploitation concerns may not apply to Jamaica
Published:Thursday | March 27, 2025 | 12:12 AMKimone Francis/Senior Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has defended Jamaica’s use of Cuban medics to support the local health sector, declaring that there is no exploitation in the programme that has surfaced as a blot on the Trump administration’s radar.
Holness, who, on Wednesday, held bilateral talks with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Office of the Prime Minister, said the Cubans, more than 400 of them, support the health sector amid the consistent migration of Jamaican healthcare workers.
“Let us be clear. The Cuban doctors in Jamaica have been incredibly helpful to us,” said Holness, who pointed to a “deficit” in the sector.
“We’re, however, very careful not to exploit the Cuban doctors in our care. We ensure that they are treated within our labour laws and that they benefit like any other worker. So any characterisation of the programme by others certainly would not be applicable to Jamaica,” he asserted.
He said the Government has ensured that the programme operates in accordance with international labour laws and standards to which Jamaica is party.
He declared Jamaica’s stance amid the Trump Administration’s pressure on regional leaders to discontinue the Cuban medical mission programme under its expansion of its Cuba restrictive policy.
In February, Rubio said the expanded restrictions target individuals and immediate family members of individuals believed to be responsible for the programme, which he described as “forced labour,” threatening to revoke their visas.
CLARIFYING POSITION
On Wednesday, Rubio sought to clarify the US’s position, noting that the administration had no issues with the medical missions but, instead, how the programmes are run globally.
“This is not about doctors. This is not about the provision of medical assistance. I’m not speaking about Jamaica. We’ve discussed this today about following international labour standards and the like. I’m talking about the programme in general and how it’s operated around the world,” said Rubio.
He argued that doctors are not paid directly, with the earnings from their labour going to the Cuban government, which decides how much is given to them.
“They take away their passports. They, basically, operate as forced labour in many places. Now, there are places that have better labour standards. Perhaps Jamaica is one of those, and that’s fine. I’m describing, generally, around the world what the programme has been. It has operated that way in many parts of the world that place these people in tremendous danger,” Rubio said.
“I think we can all agree that the trafficking and labour, be they doctors or farmworkers, is not something that we would want to be supportive of, and we find that to be an egregious practice on the part of the Cuban regime.”
He said that because of the US’s relationship with Jamaica, the two countries will continue discussions on the matter, noting that the alleged exploitative nature of the programme might not be taking place in Jamaica.
Rubio is the fifth US secretary of state to visit Jamaica in the past 15 years. His visit follows those of Hillary Clinton in June 2011, Rex Tillerson in February 2018, Mike Pompeo in January 2020, and Antony Blinken in March 2024.
He is scheduled to leave the island for Guyana this morning.
Meanwhile, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton is rejecting claims that Cuban doctors are leaving Jamaica in droves because of the US’s position on the programme.
He noted that the mission allows Cuban medics to travel to countries to work for a period before returning to the island.
He said that coincidentally, that period has come to an end for several of them, who will go back for others to come.
According to Tufton, in some instances, extensions are granted but up to a particular time.
Additionally, he said the memorandum of understanding between Cuba and Jamaica is currently being negotiated, with the possibility for change.
“So there is an opportunity, given the recent discussions coming out of the US regarding the programme, for us to clarify issues and maybe adjust elements of the agreement, and that conversation is now taking place,” said Tufton.