Antigua Government to Make Direct Payment for Cuban Medical Brigade Amid U.S. Tensions

Published
At least 473 Cuban medical personnel worked alongside their Caribbean counterparts in eight countries, namely Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, to assist in managing the spread of COVID-19 (Photo credit: Gov T.C)

In a shift in policy, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has decided to pay the Cuban Medical Brigade directly for their services.

This decision comes in response to recent threats from the Trump Administration, which suggested that the Cuban Medical Brigade could be classified as “human trafficking.

Under the new arrangement, Cuban doctors and nurses will receive 100% of their contractual amounts directly from the government, eliminating the previous payment structure that involved third-party transactions.

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This change aims to ensure transparency and compliance with local labor laws.

The government will also implement statutory deductions from each pay package, similarly to the practices in place for all other workers in Antigua and Barbuda, reinforcing its commitment to fair labor practices.

Officials from the Antiguan government have communicated this new payment approach to U.S. authorities and are currently awaiting a response.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/03/20/antigua-government-to-make-direct-payment-for-cuban-medical-brigade-amid-u-s-tensions. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Comments (6)

  • Juju Bee March 20, 2025, 9:30 PM

    That may be the best thing to do
    Reply
  • 9x19Rugrat March 20, 2025, 11:28 PM

    Very well
    Reply
  • Unruly One March 21, 2025, 8:17 AM

    Well in a way this kinda leaves you bittersweet.
    Reply
  • Lyn March 22, 2025, 4:55 PM

    I hate when small governments bow down to the US. I would ignore them entirely. The US don’t give a shyte about any of us. They are trying to make it hard for us to even come to the US why should be try to prove anything to them
    Reply
    • Anonymous May 21, 2025, 5:47 PM

      So you want the Antiguan and Cuban government to continue to exploit these workers in what is surely a slave-labour scheme. Well-done USA.
      Reply
  • Derri November 12, 2025, 3:46 PM

    Venezuela has every right to be suspicious Washington has used the ‘drug war’ excuse before
    Reply

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