🇨🇺🇯🇲Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba

Cuba regrets the decision of the government of Jamaica to cease medical cooperation, yielding to pressure from the U.S.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba reports that, on March 4, the Foreign Ministry of Jamaica communicated to our Embassy in that country the unilateral decision of its government to terminate the health cooperation agreement that has linked both nations for decades.

With this action, the government of Jamaica yields to the pressures of the government of the United States, which is not concerned about the health needs of the Caribbean brothers.

Cuba deeply regrets that in this way a history of fruitful and sustained collaboration is disregarded, one that has brought countless benefits to the Jamaican people, who are now deprived of receiving the basic and specialized health services that Cuban collaborators provided.

In response to the step taken by the government of Jamaica, the government of Cuba has made the sovereign decision to proceed with the return of the Cuban Medical Brigade. These health professionals leave behind an indelible mark and return to Cuba with the satisfaction of a duty fulfilled and the permanent willingness to assist wherever their spirit of solidarity is required.

Cuba’s work in Jamaica is an eloquent example of genuine cooperation. In the last 30 years alone, more than 4,700 Cuban collaborators have provided medical assistance on the Caribbean island. Currently, the Brigade was composed of 277 professionals whose work has had a tangible and profound impact on strengthening the Jamaican health system.

The historic results of this collaboration speak for themselves: 

· More than 8,176,000 patients treated. 

· 74,302 surgical procedures performed. 

· 7,170 births attended. 

· More than 90,000 lives saved.

Likewise, through the Operation Miracle program, present in Jamaica since 2010, the sight of nearly 25,000 Jamaicans has been restored or improved. Cuban cooperation has also been decisive in projects for the control and prevention of diseases such as malaria and in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The most recent example of this dedication was seen after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which severely affected the island. In those difficult circumstances, the Cuban Medical Brigade remained firmly at their posts, many of its members working for more than 72 consecutive hours and actively joining the tasks of recovering hospitals and communities.

Faithful to the historic relations of brotherhood and solidarity that unite us with Jamaica, Cuba reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Jamaican people, who will always be able to count on the selfless cooperation of Cuba.

Havana, March 6, 2026.

@Slipfeeler

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

@Slipfeeler

a sad day from these licky licky tools

@Chrissy

A very sad day in the history of Jamaica, when we choose to turn our backs on a true and loyal friend of Jamaica, who supported us and was there during our times of need. Now faced with mounting pressure from US and in severe economic crisis, we turn our backs on them. SMH