The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown has launched a sharp critique against Cuba’s international medical mission program operating in Caribbean nations, characterizing the initiative as fundamentally exploitative. Diplomatic officials asserted that the arrangement imposes severe financial and ethical consequences on participating countries while systematically undercompensating medical professionals.
According to embassy statements, the operational structure directs the majority of compensation—estimated between 80-95% of total doctor salaries—directly to the Cuban government rather than the healthcare workers providing services. This financial model was explicitly labeled a ‘modern-day forced labor scheme’ ultimately subsidized by local taxpayers in host nations.
The criticism extended beyond financial concerns to encompass human dignity considerations. Embassy representatives emphasized that physicians receive merely a fractional share of what partner nations pay for their expertise, creating what they termed a dual burden of economic strain and moral compromise for participating countries.
The United States government declared solidarity with affected medical professionals and committed to ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at terminating these alleged exploitative practices. This position aligns with broader U.S. policy objectives regarding labor rights and human dignity in international cooperation programs.