Bridgetown, Barbados – Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has taken a bold stance in defense of the Cuban medical brigade, declaring that she is prepared to have her United States visa revoked if necessary to stand by Cuba’s contributions to the region’s healthcare system.
Speaking in Parliament, Mottley emphasized the critical role Cuban doctors and nurses have played in supporting Caribbean nations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This matter, with the Cubans and the nurses, should tell us everything that we need to know,” Mottley asserted. “Barbados does not currently have Cuban medical staff or nurses, but I will be the first to stand up and say that we could not have gotten through the pandemic without them.”
Her remarks come amid growing scrutiny from the United States, which has questioned the integrity of Cuba’s international medical assistance program. However, CARICOM nations have consistently defended the initiative, highlighting its significant benefits to regional healthcare.
Mottley urged CARICOM governments to be prepared to articulate the value of Cuba’s medical contributions, ensuring that the region presents a united front in defense of the program.
Her statement signals a strong commitment to regional solidarity, even as geopolitical tensions continue to shape diplomatic relations between the Caribbean and the United States.
