Grenada Minister Targeted by U.S. Over Cuba Medical Cooperation

Grenada’s Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall has become the latest government official to have his U.S. visa revoked over Cuba’s medical cooperation missions.

Last February, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy of restricting the visas of government officials for their participation in hiring Cuban medical personnel, whom the U.S. deems “victims of forced labor.”

In June, Central American officials were targeted by the State Department. On August 13, the U.S. announced restrictions on government officials from Africa, Brazil, Cuba and Grenada – as well as their families. Cornwall’s identity became public last week.

After the February announcement, leaders across the Caribbean made headlines for standing up to U.S. pressure, defending the missions and denying the claims. At the time, Cornwall said in parliament he was willing to lose his visa in solidarity with Cuba on the issue of the missions. 

Cuba has been sending medical personnel worldwide since the 1960s, particularly to countries in the Global South, where they provide healthcare for underserved communities. Cuban health professionals have treated Ebola patients in Africa, earthquake victims in Pakistan and Haiti, and COVID patients in Europe. 

Through contracts with host governments, the missions have become one of the main sources of foreign currency for Cuba, and thus a target of heightened Trump sanctions. The Cuban government says the money generated from the missions is used to help fund the nation’s universal public health system, which provides care free of charge to its citizens.