U.S. restricts visas for Central American officials involved in Cuban medical missions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced U.S. visa restrictions on several Central American government officials for their involvement in receiving Cuban medical personnel that the U.S. deems victims of "forced labor." It's not clear which officials from which countries are being targeted. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Rubio had announced a new policy of imposing visa restrictions on foreign government officials in February, sparking defiance from many Caribbean leaders. 

Cuba has been sending medical missions worldwide for decades, particularly to countries in the Global South, where they provide healthcare for underserved communities. Cuban doctors with the Henry Reeve Brigade have treated patients with Ebola in Africa and earthquake victims in Pakistan and Haiti.

Through contracts with host countries, medical missions have become one of the main sources of foreign currency for the island, which is why the U.S. wants to stop them.

The Cuban government says the money generated from the missions is used to help provide free healthcare to its citizens.