"Bruno Rodriguez stated that the United States is trying to strangle the economy of the communist island, which earns billions from its foreign medical missions, after several countries stopped deploying Cuban doctors."
"The US government is persecuting, pressuring, and extorting other governments to end the presence of Cuban Medical Brigades in various countries, under false pretenses, Rodriguez said on X."
"According to official figures, about 24,000 Cuban doctors and other healthcare professionals were deployed in 56 countries in 2025, with most sent to remote areas."
"The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights published a report denouncing serious human rights violations in the missions, accusing Cuba of withholding doctors' wages and threatening medics with prison if they defected."
Cuba's foreign minister accused the US of extorting Latin American nations to cancel medical agreements with Cuba, which are vital for its economy. Countries like Guatemala and Honduras have ceased partnerships, influenced by US pressure. The Cuban medical program, which has been a source of income since the 1960s, is described by the US as forced labor. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reported human rights violations within the program, including wage withholding and threats against defecting doctors. Cuba's economy is struggling, partly due to a US energy blockade.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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