Cuban-American historian Michael J. Bustamante, a professor at the University of Miami, took to X on Friday to express his disapproval of a New York Times article discussing the healthcare crisis in Cuba. He argued that the piece's headline and analysis might misleadingly suggest that the severe issues within Cuba's healthcare system only began in January 2026.
The NYT article, titled "Cuban Patients Are Dying Because of U.S. Blockade, Doctors Say," published on Thursday, almost exclusively blames the Cuban health collapse on Executive Order 14380 signed by President Donald Trump on January 29, 2026, which imposed tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba.
"The analysis, particularly the headline, could be interpreted as though the serious health system issues only surfaced in January, or at least that awareness of pre-existing problems is sidelined," Bustamante remarked, adding, "I understand the frustration."
This critique targets a recurring issue: the American liberal media has only started paying significant attention to Cuba's healthcare collapse following the Trump administration's measures, overlooking the years of structural decline under the regime.
"I understand the frustration that the deterioration of healthcare services in Cuba only garners such detailed coverage in a prominent American outlet due to U.S. policy actions," Bustamante stated.
The academic acknowledges that Trump administration policies have exacerbated the situation but believes the article could have offered a more comprehensive perspective on the prevailing conditions.
“Should it have revealed that press access to hospitals is rare and that those shown in images are among the nation's best institutions? Probably,” Bustamante questioned and responded, critiquing the article's focus.
Data clearly illustrates this decline. Between 2010 and 2022, the regime shut down 63 hospitals, 37 medical offices, 187 maternal homes, and 45 dental clinics. From 2021 to 2022 alone, Cuba lost over 12,000 doctors, 7,414 nurses, and more than 3,000 dentists to emigration, in a system where medical professionals survive on salaries of roughly 16 dollars a month.
Infant mortality rates soared from 3.9 per thousand in 2018 to approximately 8.2 per thousand nationally. By late 2025, Cuba recorded three million cases of dengue and chikungunya, resulting in 8,700 deaths.
Cuba's Health Minister, José Ángel Portal Miranda, acknowledged in February 2026 that the system was on the verge of collapse, while the World Health Organization labeled the situation as deeply concerning.
The NYT article highlights alarming data about the current crisis: Cuba's national electric grid collapsed for the third time in four months, 96,000 Cubans need surgery, and 11,000 children await operations. The country has gone over three months without oil imports, reducing its fuel supply by 90%.
The delayed attention from the American liberal media—arriving as Washington's pressure increases and framing the crisis as a result of Trump's policies—is at the heart of Bustamante's criticism: Cuba's healthcare collapse has been brewing for years under the dictatorship, and only now does it warrant headlines.
Cuba's Health Crisis and Media Coverage
Why did Michael J. Bustamante criticize the New York Times article?
Bustamante criticized the article for potentially suggesting that the severe healthcare issues in Cuba only began in January 2026, neglecting the years of prior decline under the regime.
What do the statistics reveal about the healthcare situation in Cuba?
Statistics show a significant decline, with numerous hospital closures, a sharp increase in infant mortality rates, and a massive loss of medical professionals due to emigration.
How has the Trump administration's policy affected Cuba's healthcare system?
The Trump administration's policy, particularly Executive Order 14380, has worsened the healthcare situation by imposing tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, further straining the system.