Trinidad and Tobago’s PM Keith Rowley rejects U.S. claims that Cuba’s medical missions are human trafficking. He defends the significance of Cuban medical professionals in the region and opposes U.S. visa restrictions. Rowley emphasizes Trinidad’s sovereignty and commitment to Cuban collaboration, amidst regional support against U.S. policies.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, affirmed his commitment to national sovereignty in response to U.S. claims equating Cuba’s overseas medical missions to human trafficking. Speaking at the opening of the $1.3 billion Port-of-Spain General Hospital Central Block, Rowley criticized U.S. visa restrictions targeting nations that utilize Cuban medical professionals, indicating he would consider forgoing future visits to the U.S. to uphold Trinidad and Tobago’s integrity.
Rowley denounced U.S. allegations of forced labor within Cuba’s medical program. Instead, he highlighted the essential role of Cuban doctors in Caribbean healthcare, stating, “We rely heavily on healthcare specialists… mainly from Cuba over the decades.” He labeled the human trafficking accusations as a misrepresentation, emphasizing that the technicians are compensated fairly according to local wage standards.
The U.S. policy, communicated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to penalize officials linked to Cuba’s labor export program. Rubio claimed, “The United States is expanding its Cuba-related visa restriction policy… to hold accountable those responsible for the exploitation of Cuban workers.” Caribbean leaders, including St. Vincent’s Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, criticized the policy, warning it may jeopardize healthcare services reliant on Cuban support.
In a recent meeting in Washington, Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Amery Browne, along with other CARICOM members, discussed the implications of the U.S. policy with American officials. While he has not provided further updates, Rowley firmly stated that Trinidad and Tobago will not succumb to U.S. pressures regarding its partnership with Cuba, proclaiming, “This country will not be dictated to.”
In summary, Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago has vocally opposed U.S. claims regarding Cuban medical missions, framing them as a violation of national sovereignty. His government supports the long-standing presence of Cuban healthcare professionals and rejects U.S. accusations of human trafficking, thereby reinforcing their commitment to ongoing Cuban collaborations amid international scrutiny. The Caribbean community stands united against these U.S. visa restrictions, emphasizing their impact on regional healthcare services.
Original Source: www.caribbeannationalweekly.com
