Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith told Parliament on Thursday that the Government's decision to discontinue the 50-year-old medical cooperation programme with Cuba was not influenced by the United States. She said the move stemmed from unresolved issues in renegotiating the agreement.

"No," Johnson Smith replied after Opposition lawmaker Alfred Dawes asked at a parliamentary committee meeting Thursday night whether Washington had a hand in Kingston's push to renegotiate terms. 

Jamaica's 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.

Johnson Smith acknowledged that the US had raised concerns about the Cuban programmes internationally but said Jamaica had sought to ensure the arrangement complied with its laws and international labour standards.

“We are in a, in an environment where it is clear that there have been concerns expressed by the United States government about the operation of Cuban medical programmes across the world. So, clearly, they have expressed concerns about all programmes and, accordingly, would have expressed concerns about Jamaica.

She added, “You would have heard us defending the programme in various contexts because when they come here, we do our very best to be respectful and ensure that our treatment of them accords with the laws of Jamaica and best international labour law practice."

"Where the programme came into conflict with those things, unfortunately, we were unable to reach agreement on correcting them and that is why the programme has ended.”

Dawes responded: “So, we just decided to change the rules of the game after 50 years.” But the minister shot back: “However, you wish to interpret it, is fine.”

Johnson Smith was rleading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade’s appearance before before Parliament’s Standing Finance Committee reviewing the proposed 2026–2027 national budget.

Her appearance followed Health Minister Christopher Tufton, who outlined the Government’s plans to address potential gaps in the public health system if Cuban medical personnel leave Jamaica.

The foreign minister confirmed that negotiations with Cuba failed primarily over how payments to the medical professionals would be structured. "It’s regrettable that we were unable to reach agreement on the most fundamental point - the manner of payment," Johnson Smith told lawmakers.

Opposition Spokesman on Energy Phillip Paulwell asked whether there was any prospect of restoring the original agreement with the Cuban government.

Johnson Smith said the existing arrangement had expired in 2023 and both sides had been attempting to renegotiate a new framework. She explained that some aspects of the discussions were straightforward.

Source: Jamaica-gleaner.com

This country for many years trained Jamaican Medical Doctors, built secondary and tertiary schools Jamaica at no cost to Jamaican taxpayers, and even sent free Milk, and other food products, when Jamaica was in need. Cuba now in need, with increasing economic pressure from US, so Jamaica now turns its back on them?

@Slipfeeler

Back room

To make this cricket related, we should have lent support for a cricket programme. More nations playing, more likely it will stay in the Olympics.

I am so sorry bredrins, this should have been posted in the back room.

@Slipfeeler

Your Leader is a two-faced, spineless Man. Praised Cuba publicly and then stabbed them in the back. Andrew the Shameless.

@voiceofreason

I cannot believe it but I am actually agreeing with you on this issue 😀

Cuba says it will withdraw its 277 medical professionals currently serving in Jamaica, a blow to the island which sought to cushion the fallout from ending a 50-year cooperation programme that helped fill key gaps in the health system. Cuba also claims that Jamaica bowed to pressure from the United States to terminate the programme.

Read more:https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20260306/cuba-says-jamaica-yielded-us-pressure-withdraw-all-medical-workers

@voiceofreason

Jamaica has interest, not friends. Old-time Caribbean leadership is different from today's - except for Mia's!

It's all about self-interest - you can't go up against the US and win in this hemisphere - see Cuba!

The sacrifices made in the past are not gonna happen today!

Every man wants the bling by any means necessary!

Without Uncle Sam, it's a fatal attraction, a so di ting set~

Eat a food culture!

@XDFIX

I agree you cannot win vs USA in this Hemisphere but for over 65 years Cuban socialism/communism has stood the test of time and outlasted about 13 presidents. They have a good education and medical infrastructure where they have managed to send medical personnel throughout the world and educate many from overseas. Yes there is mass poverty but the question remains would that have been the case if there were allowed to trade freely with all countries? That in itself is a test of their resilience and determination of their people.

Yes you are correct principles does not lime with politics. Most Politicians have the principles of a Porcupine.

The stage is set for the downfall of Cuba's administration. If 67 years of sanctions were not enough but now they are forcing the hands of their allies many whom have benefitted from Cuba's generosity for that same period of time. No more Venezuelan or Mexican oil so a massive energy crisis, Cuban diplomats expelled from Ecuador, Caribbean countries disbanding their Cuban medical programmes (faster than Usain Bolt in Berlin), which provided much needed remittances. What was most telling is one of Rubio's advisers meeting with Raul Castro's grandson at the recent Cari-done heads of meeting. Delcy the Traitor? This looks like another Venezuela play to get a puppet leader in place who will dance to the melody of the Yankee fiddler. Trump talking about friendly takeover but this is nothing but that.

Shame on those who abandoned Cubans at their lowest ebb.

@Slipfeeler

Oh btw how did this end up in the Rumshop? We need to find some cricketing talent from Cuba lol.

This is not the first time for PM Andrew Spineless. Michael Manley must be shivering in his grave:

HISTORY REPEATS: THE BITTER PRICE OF INGRATITUDE IN THE CARIBBEAN

By Regional Affairs Desk

Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis – March 7, 2026

In the unforgiving arena of international relations, few sins sting as deeply as ingratitude. Venezuela's PetroCaribe program once stood as a lifeline for struggling Caribbean nations. It delivered subsidized oil that powered homes, industries, and economies amid global price shocks. PetroCaribe was more than a trade deal. It was solidarity from a neighbor facing its own hardships. Yet when the moment came to stand by Venezuela in the Organization of American States, several CARICOM members chose betrayal.

In 2019, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and others including Guyana under Donald Trump's influence voted in favor of OAS resolutions rejecting Nicolás Maduro's legitimacy and pushing for isolation to kick him out of the OAS. This came despite the oil deals that had eased their burdens for years. The ingratitude was stark. Nations that had benefited from Venezuelan generosity turned their backs, aligning with external pressures instead of regional loyalty

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572793641984

@voiceofreason

When everyone stands alone they can reasonably say they can’t stand against a bully

if they put aside fear and selfish ambition, something could have been achieved

this is how you control an empire

It is just shameful how countries are surrendering the right to make their own agreements with whoever they choose. The presumptuousness of certain leaders in this period of time will be remembered for a long time.

@Halliwell

always difficult to achieve when the two biggest territories in the region opt for self preservation/ interest under the guise of looking out for their people aka the possibility of migrating to the USA

Its possible the PM can say one thing publicly and do different privately in order to appease the powers that be without ruining his own health care system. And given that the Trump administration only cares about posturing it would not be a big surprise if that is the case.