Cuba Accuses U.S. of Extorting Latin America Over Medical Agreements

Cuba's foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez, has accused the United States of extorting Latin American nations by pressuring them to terminate longstanding agreements for the deployment of Cuban doctors. This accusation follows the withdrawal of several countries, including Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, and Guyana, from these medical partnerships, which have been a significant source of income for Cuba.

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Since the 1960s, Cuba has sent thousands of healthcare professionals abroad as part of its medical missions, which are viewed as a point of national pride and a vital economic lifeline. In 2025, approximately 24,000 Cuban doctors were deployed in 56 countries, with Venezuela being the primary recipient. The program was projected to generate around $7 billion (€5.9 billion) for Cuba, which is currently facing severe economic challenges exacerbated by a U.S. energy blockade.

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Rodríguez stated that the U.S. government is "persecuting, pressuring and extorting" other nations to end their cooperation with Cuban medical brigades, labeling the U.S. actions as an attempt to "strangle" Cuba's economy. The U.S. government, however, contends that the Cuban medical program constitutes forced labor, with reports indicating that Cuban doctors receive only a fraction of the payments made by host countries. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has also criticized the program, citing serious human rights violations, including wage withholding and threats against medical personnel who consider defecting.

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The IACHR's report highlights allegations of forced labor and human trafficking within the Cuban medical missions. Edgar Stuardo Ralon, president of the IACHR, noted that some practices could be classified as violations of human rights. Critics argue that while Cuba promotes the program as a gesture of solidarity, the reality for many doctors is one of exploitation and coercion.

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• “The US government is persecuting, pressuring and extorting other governments to end the presence of Cuban Medical Brigades in various countries, under false pretences,” — Bruno Rodríguez, Cuban Foreign Minister

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As the U.S. continues its campaign of maximum pressure on the Cuban regime, the future of Cuba's medical missions remains uncertain. The ongoing withdrawal of countries from these agreements may further impact Cuba's economy and its ability to provide healthcare services abroad.

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