Caving to U.S. Pressure, the Bahamas Cancels Cuba’s Medical Mission

The Bahamas on Monday announced it would cancel contracts with Cuban doctors after talks with Washington.

The Bahamas Health and Wellness Minister Michael Darville said the country would try to “enter into direct employment contracts” with Cuban health personnel already in the country, but indicated that a new arrangement would need approval from the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, Guyana is also reconsidering its agreement with Cuba in response to U.S. demands.

In March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions for foreign government officials – and their families – involved in the hiring of Cuban medical personnel, whom the U.S. deems victims of “human trafficking.” Earlier this month, Rubio announced that unnamed Central American officials had had their visas restricted.

Thousands of Cuban medical personnel serve on missions in dozens of countries, including throughout the Caribbean. The missions are also Cuba’s main source of foreign currency, which is why the Trump administration is going after them as part of its “maximum pressure” policy aimed at regime change.