277 Cuban Doctors Return Home as Agreement with Jamaica Ends

A total of 277 Cuban healthcare professionals have returned to the island following the abrupt termination of a sanitary cooperation agreement with Jamaica that had been in place for nearly half a century. The end of the deal, first signaled in early March, marks a significant shift in bilateral relations and follows a trend of cancelations of medical missions across the region.

The End of an Era in Medical Cooperation

Since 1976, Cuba and Jamaica maintained a collaboration program that provided care to millions of Jamaican patients. However, the government in Kingston decided not to renew the current agreement, citing a lack of consensus on new terms and the detection of structural irregularities within the program.

For its part, the Cuban government has denounced what it calls “pressure and blackmail” from the U.S. administration aimed at forcing host countries to abandon these programs, which Washington classifies as “forced labor.”

A Rejected Offer

Before the brigade’s final departure, it emerged that the Jamaican government offered the professionals the chance to be hired individually and directly, circumventing the Cuban state. However, the majority of the doctors declined the offer and boarded flights back to Havana organized by the Cuban government.

Regional Impact

The departure of doctors from Jamaica is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, nations like Honduras, Guatemala, and several Caribbean countries (including Antigua and Barbuda, and the Bahamas) have suspended or significantly modified their health agreements with the island. For the Cuban government, this represents the loss of a vital source of foreign currency; for disadvantaged local communities in Jamaica, it means the loss of essential primary care.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many doctors returned from Jamaica?

277 healthcare professionals who were part of the official brigade returned to Cuba.

How long had the agreement with Jamaica existed?

The healthcare cooperation agreement was originally signed in 1976, nearly 50 years ago.

Why was the agreement terminated?

Jamaica cited structural irregularities and a lack of agreement on new terms, while Cuba points to external pressure from the United States.

Which other countries have recently canceled missions?

Countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, the Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago have recently canceled or paused their medical agreements with Cuba.