Wednesday, March 12, 2025
On February 25, Secretary Rubio announced expansion of a Cuba related visa restriction policy that targets those who facilitate Cuban forced labor.
Following Secretary Rubio’s February 25 announcement, the US Embassy informed the Bahamian government about the recent policy change.
This expanded policy, which builds upon a policy put in place in 2019 during the first Trump administration, targets both Cuban and third-country officials and individuals, responsible for or involved in, Cuba’s labor export program, which involves forced labor and exploitation of workers around the globe, enriches the Cuban regime, and deprives ordinary Cubans of the medical care they desperately need in their home country.
With this visa restriction policy, we are sending a clear message that the United States promotes accountability for those who are responsible for lining the Cuban regime’s pockets through forced labor – a form of human trafficking – and exploitative working conditions through Cuba’s labor export program.
We continue to investigate reports of Cuban forced labor around the world and to promote accountability for those involved with Cuba’s forced labor program.
We believe countries should comply with their international obligations and commitments to combat all forms of human trafficking, including forced labor.
The United States is committed to countering forced labor practices around the globe.
To do so, we must promote accountability not just for Cuban officials responsible for these policies, but also those complicit in the exploitation and forced labor of Cuban workers.
Comments
Porcupine says...
Rubio is a certifiable jackass, who has absolutely no principles.
Expel the US diplomats until they start to treat us like a people worthy of respect.
Canada is not sitting down and taking this crap lightly.
Perhaps we should grow some balls too.
Posted 12 March 2025, 10:52 a.m. Suggest removal
IslandWarrior says...
This latest U.S. stance on Cuban medical missions comes amid broader concerns over labour exploitation worldwide. While the U.S. has been vocal in condemning Cuban labour practices, it remains conspicuously silent on the widespread abuses suffered by foreign workers in the Middle East and parts of Asia. In many of these regions, labourers, particularly from poorer African and Asian countries, are subjected to extreme conditions, including human trafficking, wage theft, physical abuse, and sexual violence. Reports have consistently highlighted the plight of domestic workers and construction labourers who endure gruelling conditions under exploitative systems such as the controversial Kafala sponsorship system, which ties workers to their employers and restricts their ability to leave abusive situations.
Despite these well-documented abuses, U.S. policy has not applied the same level of diplomatic pressure on the governments of these nations. The lack of strong warnings or visa sanctions against these countries raises critical questions about the consistency and motivations behind U.S. foreign policy regarding labour rights and human rights enforcement.
As Caribbean leaders engage in diplomatic discussions with the U.S., they continue to emphasize the indispensable role of Cuban medical missions in providing healthcare across the region. The response to these missions, juxtaposed against the silence on severe labour violations elsewhere, underscores broader geopolitical and economic considerations that influence how and where human rights concerns are prioritized on the global stage.
Posted 12 March 2025, 11:10 a.m. Suggest removal
Log in to comment