US 'Extortion' on Cuba's Medical Missions

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has accused the United States of 'extorting' Latin American countries to cancel medical deals with Havana, aiming to 'strangle' the Cuban economy. The United States, under Donald Trump's administration, views Cuba's medical program as forced labor and part of a broader campaign to cut off financial flows to the Cuban government. Several countries, including Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, and Guyana, have already terminated their agreements with Cuba. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has also published a report detailing human rights violations within these missions, including wage withholding and passport confiscation. Despite the pressure, Mexico has continued its partnership with Cuba, defending the program as essential for its rural healthcare needs.