The government of Antigua and Barbuda has unexpectedly terminated its longstanding medical partnership with Cuba, despite having previously defended the presence of Cuban doctors as essential to the nation's healthcare system throughout 2025.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne's administration decided to end the medical agreement, leading to the departure of Cuban professionals from the country. This marks a sudden shift in a policy that had been staunchly defended by the government against increasing diplomatic pressure from the United States, as reported by the Antigua Observer.
Throughout 2025, Browne emerged as a key Caribbean advocate for the Cuban medical brigades, dismissing the U.S. State Department's allegations that these programs constitute a form of "human trafficking," the press outlet noted.
In March, the Prime Minister asserted that Cuban doctors were the "backbone" of Antigua and Barbuda's healthcare system and warned that their exit would be devastating.
Despite these declarations, the agreement was abruptly canceled this month without any official explanation from the executive.
The news was not announced by the government but rather by the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), which issued a statement expressing "deep gratitude" to the Cuban professionals and lamenting the abrupt end to the cooperation.
The UPP criticized the cancellation as a "political failure" and an "act of ingratitude," emphasizing that cooperation with Cuba facilitated key initiatives like the Eye-Care Programme, benefiting hundreds of citizens, and provided educational opportunities for Antiguan students in various fields that many families could not afford.
The withdrawal of Cuban doctors leaves a significant gap in the country's public healthcare system, particularly in areas with a shortage of local professionals.
This situation is further complicated by the planned launch of a National Health Insurance in 2026, raising concerns about the continuity of services and the government's ability to swiftly replace the departing staff.
So far, the Prime Minister's Office has not addressed crucial questions regarding the number of departing doctors, the timeline of their exit, the future of affected programs, or the fate of students currently studying in Cuba.
Nevertheless, the government partially addressed the issue during a post-Cabinet briefing on December 18. Communications Director Maurice Merchant announced a policy shift aimed at sustaining the healthcare system, and Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph confirmed the hiring of approximately 120 healthcare professionals, primarily nurses and some doctors from Ghana, to be deployed in the country before year's end.
Authorities claim this reinforcement will ensure an "orderly" transition following the Cuban doctors' departure and guarantee service continuity.
The executive expressed gratitude for the Cuban staff's historical contributions and assured that, despite the program's end, respectful diplomatic relations with Cuba would be maintained.
The decision follows a year of sustained pressure from the Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging Caribbean nations to cancel or restructure Cuban medical programs.
Washington demanded direct payments to the doctors, bypassing the Cuban government, and even warned of possible personal sanctions against officials facilitating these missions.
According to sources, Antigua and Barbuda initially attempted to comply with these demands by adjusting payment schemes, but the complete termination of the program suggests that these concessions were inadequate or that the diplomatic cost was deemed unsustainable by the government.
In October, the government of the Bahamas revealed some conditions of the new employment contract for Cuban doctors working in the archipelago, while awaiting final U.S. approval to implement the agreement.
This announcement marks another step in the transformation of a program that Washington has long denounced as a form of "forced labor" controlled by the Havana regime.
The Trump administration recently included Antigua and Barbuda in its travel ban, aimed at "restricting and further limiting entry of foreigners" from over thirty nations that, according to Washington, have significant and persistent deficiencies in verification systems, document control, and security cooperation.
Implications of Ending Medical Ties with Cuba
What are the potential impacts on Antigua and Barbuda's healthcare system?
The departure of Cuban doctors leaves a significant gap in the healthcare system, especially in areas with a shortage of local professionals, potentially affecting service continuity.
How is the government planning to address the healthcare personnel shortage?
The government has announced the hiring of approximately 120 healthcare professionals, primarily from Ghana, to ensure an orderly transition and maintain service continuity.
What role did the U.S. play in this decision?
The U.S., under the Trump administration, exerted pressure on Caribbean nations to terminate or restructure Cuban medical programs, demanding direct payments to doctors and threatening sanctions.