Caricom ministers will meet U.S. officials to discuss new visa restrictions targeting government officials from countries employing Cuban medical practitioners. This policy, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to address human rights violations linked to Cuba’s labor practices while affecting families connected to these officials. The meeting is scheduled for March as Trinidad and Tobago’s officials seek further clarification.
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) is set to convene a meeting with U.S. officials in March to address the new visa restrictions imposed by the Trump Administration regarding Cuban medical professionals. This policy extends not only to government officials of nations employing these medical practitioners but also to their immediate family members, thus broadening its impact significantly.
On February 25, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio elaborated on these restrictions, which are an extension of a pre-existing visa policy targeting forced labor associated with the Cuban labor export program. Rubio stated that the Cuban government benefits from this exploitative labor practice, compromising crucial healthcare access for Cuban citizens.
Despite multiple inquiries, Guardian Media was unable to ascertain the precise number of Cuban medical professionals currently employed within Trinidad and Tobago, as efforts to contact the Ministry of Health proved unsuccessful. However, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram directed queries to the Health Ministry’s communications department, from which no response was received by press time.
In light of the situation, Caricom Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Amery Browne indicated that the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) had convened a meeting on this issue. He confirmed plans for a subsequent meeting with U.S. envoy Mauricio Claver-Carone in Washington, D.C., scheduled for the second week of March to seek clarity on the matter.
While attempts to obtain commentary from Cuban Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Gustavo Veliz, were unsuccessful, he previously asserted that Cuba would maintain its cooperative relations with Trinidad and Tobago in various fields, despite tightening U.S. sanctions. Notably, he mentioned the ongoing medical collaboration between the two nations, which has thrived for over two decades, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In summary, Caricom Foreign Affairs Ministers will engage with U.S. officials to discuss the implications of new visa restrictions on Cuban medical professionals. This meeting seeks to clarify how the policy affects member states and their ongoing relationships with Cuba, particularly in the healthcare sector, amid growing concerns about the impact of U.S. sanctions.
Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com
