Saint Lucia has pushed back against concerns raised by the United States regarding the presence of Cuban medical professionals on the island, asserting that they are legally employed and not victims of forced labour.
Minister of External Affairs Alva Baptiste confirmed on Monday that Saint Lucia had received a diplomatic note from the US regarding its use of Cuban medical personnel.
“The United States of America did write to various islands in the Caribbean region with relations with Cuba as far as medical personnel is concerned,” he stated at the pre-Cabinet press briefing.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently warned of restrictions on visas for anyone “complicit” with Cuba’s foreign medical programmes. He said third-country government officials and individuals involved in Cuba’s “exploitative labour export programme” would be targeted.
Bu Minister Baptiste defended the role of Cuban doctors in Saint Lucia, noting their crucial contribution, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Cuban medical professionals are an integral part of our healthcare system, responding to the many challenges that we had during COVID in particular. We actually strengthened that presence to help us navigate such a difficult period, and we want to thank the government and people of Cuba for providing us with that support,” he said.
Baptiste acknowledged that the US had expressed concerns about the possibility of forced labour arrangements involving Cuban medical professionals but maintained that Saint Lucia had responded decisively.
“We responded to the US indicating clearly that we are not in violation of any international obligations,” he told reporters.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre also weighed in, stressing the importance of Cuban doctors to the country’s healthcare system.
“Our medical system would basically collapse if the Cuban doctors were not here,” he stated, pointing to their presence in Saint Lucia since 1979.
Also confirming his government’s receipt of the diplomatic note from the US on the issue, Pierre said: “ We answered the questions and the answer was simple: The Cuban doctors in Saint Lucia work as professionals, they get paid by the Government of Saint Lucia, and they have no special or different treatment to our local doctors.”
Other Caribbean leaders have hit back at a threat issued by the United States government, standing by Cuba and making it clear they were even willing to do so even if they lose their US visas.
“I came back from California and if I never go back there again in my life, I will ensure that the sovereignty of Trinidad and Tobago is known to its people and respected by all,” said Dr Keith Rowley whose resignation as prime minister has since taken effect.
Similarly, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said: “I will prefer to lose my visa than to have 60 poor and working people die.”
Speaking in Parliament during the Budget debate last week, Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley called the US stance “unfair and unjustified”.
“Barbados does not currently have Cuban medical staff or Cuban nurses, but I will be the first to go to the line and to tell you that we could not get through the [COVID-19] pandemic without the Cuban nurses and the Cuban doctors,” she said.
“Now, I don’t believe that we have to shout across the seas, but I am prepared, like others in this region, that if we cannot reach a sensible agreement on this matter, then if the cost of it is the loss of my visa, to the US, then so be it.”
Cuba has more than 24 000 doctors working in 56 countries worldwide.
