caribbeanlife.com | Monday, July 7, 2025 
Bahamas seeks U.S. nod to keep Cuban doctors amid exploitation claims

The Bahamas’ government has asked the Trump administration whether it is okay to keep a small batch of Cuban medical personnel in the country in the wake of allegations from Washington that the Cuban government is exploiting those workers. Minister of Health Mike Darville’s weekend announcement came less than a month after Prime Minister Phillip Davis’ administration announced plans to discard the old payment system for Cuban workers, paying them directly in full rather than allowing the Cuban government to collect a greater portion of their earnings. The Trump cabinet has threatened to revoke the visas of any Caribbean official linked to the Cuban medical brigade program, under which professionals are sent to work in CARICOM nations to help bolster the health sector. Most governments have resisted this threat, reminding US officials that sectors in various member states would be in jeopardy if the Cubans were prevented from working in the region. Darville told reporters that most of the Cubans in Bahamian state employment want to remain in the archipelago off Florida, mainly because officials have dealt with the payment system bilaterally in compliance with Washington’s demands. The minister also said the Cubans “are prepared to stay in the country. We are satisfied with their performance. They are prepared to stay in the country and provide these services.” He announced that a missive had been sent to the US administration asking whether the new complete payment system to the medical brigade complies with US demands…Read more