US lawmaker who criticised Holness welcomes Jamaica ending Cuban medical programme
Loading article...
-
United States Congressman Carlos A Gimenez. (Gleaner via official website of Congressman Carlos A Gimenez.)
-
Workers fly the Cuban flag at half-staff at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune near the US Embassy in Havana, Cuba on January 5, 2026, in memory of Cubans who died two days before in Caracas, Venezuela during the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces.
United States Congressman Carlos A Gimenez has praised Jamaica’s decision to discontinue its medical cooperation programme with Cuba, describing the long-running arrangement as a “pathetic, criminal human trafficking operation.”
“In the US Congress, we thank the people of #Jamaica for ending this pathetic, criminal human trafficking operation with the dictatorship in #Cuba,” he said in a post on X responding to The Gleaner's report on the development Thursday.
“Doctors were human trafficked, their wages garnished, & subjected to inhumane conditions amounting to modern-day slavery!” the Republican representative from Florida wrote.
Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said Thursday that the government had decided to discontinue the arrangement after “both governments were unable to agree on the terms and conditions of a new technical cooperation arrangement”. A previous memorandum of understanding expired in February 2023.
Gimenez’s remarks come a week after he criticised Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness over comments about Cuba made during the recent CARICOM summit.
Addressing regional leaders last Tuesday, Holness described Cuba as “our Caribbean neighbour” and acknowledged the role Cuban doctors and teachers have played in supporting countries across the region.
He also noted that many Cubans are facing economic hardship, energy shortages and humanitarian challenges, while stressing that Jamaica supports democracy, human rights, accountability and open, market-based economies.
Gimenez responded on social media, warning that “Jamaica will face the consequences” and accusing the governing Jamaica Labour Party of covering up for “the moribund dictatorship in Cuba”.
He also urged Caribbean leaders to follow the example of Kamla Persad-Bissessar, whom he said had strengthened her country’s alliance with the United States and championed democracy in the region.
The medical cooperation programme, which dates back to the 1970s, allowed Cuban doctors, nurses and specialists to work in Jamaica’s public health system, helping to fill critical gaps in staffing. There was no word on
Health Minister Christopher Tufton said last month that nearly 300 Cuban medical professionals were still serving in Jamaica under existing contracts.
The foreign ministry said those workers may now be engaged individually by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in accordance with Jamaican labour laws, allowing them to complete the remainder of their scheduled tenure.
The decision comes amid increasing pressure from the United States over Cuba’s overseas medical missions, which Washington has accused of constituting forced labour and human trafficking. Caribbean governments, including Jamaica, have repeatedly rejected those claims.
On Monday, Dominica, a CARICOM member, said it would enter into personal contracts with medical professionals from Cuba as it sought to modify its long standing arrangement with Cuba.
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.