Grenada Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall (photo by grenadaparliament.gd)
There are growing concerns regarding the revocation of U.S. visas among government ministers whose countries support the Cuban Medical Brigade.
Due to his support for the program, Grenada’s Finance Minister, Dennis Cornwall, became the first Grenadian government official to face direct action from the United States.
Reports from various online newspapers indicate that under President Donald Trump, the U.S. government has revoked all three of Cornwall’s visas—B1, B2, and A1. His wife’s visa was also revoked in the process.
Cornwall, just like many other leaders, publicly stated in Parliament that he was willing to lose his U.S. visa to stand in solidarity with Cuba regarding the medical brigade issue.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley also made similar statements a few months ago, raising concerns that her U.S. visa could also be revoked based on her remarks.
The United States has raised questions about the Cuban medical program, which Caricom leaders have consistently defended as a crucial benefit to their countries.
The issue first gained attention when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an expansion of Washington’s Cuba-related visa restriction policy, targeting individuals allegedly involved in forced labor linked to the Cuban labor export program.
Caribbean leaders, including our very own Prime Minister Gaston Browne, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves, and Trinidad and Tobago, have publicly defended this initiative.
In May this year, Browne strongly defended the Cuban Medical Brigade program, which employs medical professionals from Cuba in Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare system.
During a recent meeting in Washington, where leaders from five OECS states and the Bahamas spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, PM Browne aimed to dispel any misconceptions linking this initiative to human trafficking.
Accompanied by Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ron Sanders, PM Browne emphasized that the relationship with Cuban medical personnel is not exploitative.
He clarified that the government compensates Cuban doctors and nurses fairly, treats them well, and imposes no restrictions on them, stating that their engagement is no different from arrangements made for medical services with professionals from countries like Ghana or the Philippines.
This highlights the tricky balance Caribbean leaders must maintain with the U.S. while protecting local needs.
Prime Minister Browne is being complicit in modern slavery in the Cuban medical brigades. They are not paid what is established by contract. If they have restrictions of all kinds. This Minister supports dictatorships
The U.S. needs to focus on real issues, not punish countries for accessing essential healthcare.
So why he in particular? why not the Health minister? Just asking for myself
Why punish us for accepting medical help, especially when health systems here are stretched?
So this is how the mighty United States plays its hand? Punishing small island nations and their officials because they dare to support a program that brings doctors and nurses to the poor? To hell with that kind of bullying
If Washington thinks this strong-arm tactic will scare governments into submission, they’ve miscalculated. Respect is earned through partnership and compassion, not by slamming visa doors in the faces of those who dare to chart their own path. To hell with this brand of arrogance. The Caribbean deserves better.
What sort of “superpower” flex is this—revoking visas from Grenada’s Finance Minister and even dragging his wife into it? This is not foreign policy; it’s petty spite. The Cuban Medical Brigade has saved lives across the Caribbean and beyond, stepping in where others—including the U.S.—have failed to show up.
Just stop it, Gaston did not cause the Cubans to be here, it was out of a cordial relationship and respect that Fidel Castro had for Tim Hector why we have local black people poor pickney be doctors and the further assistance by cuban nurses and specialized doctors.
No partisan or identity politics, because whether ALP or upp and also in all Caribbean islands we are accepting the socialist system of helping each other, that’s what america is really targeting, they want it the capitalist way where poor people can’t afford medical treatment.