Belize + Cuba Solidarity Condemns U.S. Visa Restrictions on Cuba

The Belize + Cuba Solidarity Organisation has condemned the latest US actions targeting Cuba’s international medical missions. In a statement issued on Friday, February 28, the group stated, “We stand in unwavering solidarity with Cuba and its international medical missions,” and criticised the US’s decision to impose expanded visa restrictions on individuals associated with Cuba’s medical programs.

They argued that the U.S. measures undermine these professionals’ humanitarian work and jeopardise the health of those relying on their care. “The Cuban medical brigade has been providing invaluable healthcare services in Belize for 34 years. Their presence and expertise have significantly improved the health outcomes for many Belizeans,” it added.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the new policy on February 25, 2025, targeting Cuban government officials and foreign partners linked to Cuba’s overseas medical missions. “Cuba continues to profit from the forced labour of its workers,” Rubio stated.

According to Reuters, Cuban officials, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, have rejected these accusations, calling them unjustified and politically motivated. Rodríguez criticised Rubio’s actions, saying, “Once again, Marco Rubio puts his personal agenda before the US interests,” reported Reuters.

The Belize organisation has called for an end to these “coercive measures” and renewed its call to lift the Cuban embargo and remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. “We reiterate our call for the immediate lifting of the embargo on Cuba and the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. These actions have caused significant hardship for the Cuban people and have hindered their ability to thrive and engage with the global community,” Belize + Cuba Solidarity added in its statement.