A significant shift is underway in Caribbean healthcare partnerships as Guyana becomes the latest nation to see the withdrawal of Cuban medical personnel. Health Minister Frank Anthony confirmed on Monday that Cuba unilaterally decided to terminate this four-decade-old collaboration, not the Guyanese government.
Anthony emphasized that Cuban medical professionals remain welcome in Guyana provided they meet standard local licensing requirements through the country’s medical and nursing councils. This development reflects broader regional reassessments of long-standing medical cooperation agreements with Cuba, largely prompted by intensified scrutiny from the Trump administration.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has characterized these medical missions as ‘forced labor,’ accelerating regional reviews of compensation structures and employment terms. Jamaica recently ended its 50-year medical cooperation program after proposed reforms—including direct salary payments to doctors rather than through the Cuban government—were rejected by Havana.
Multiple Caribbean nations including The Bahamas, Antigua, Dominica, and St. Lucia are now reconsidering their agreement terms. In Belize, where 105 Cuban medical professionals currently serve (including 45 specialized doctors), Health Minister Kevin Bernard acknowledged ongoing inter-ministerial discussions regarding the program’s future. The 30-year medical partnership between Belize and Cuba now faces uncertainty amid growing diplomatic pressure from Washington.