US expands visa restrictions on Cubans tied to labor export program

Voice of America
26 Feb 2025, 00:53 GMT+10

WASHINGTON —

The United States has expanded an existing visa restriction policy to target Cuban officials believed to be tied to a labor program that sends Cuban workers overseas, particularly health care workers, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Rubio said the expanded restrictions target individuals and immediate family members of individuals believed to be responsible for the program, which he described as "forced labor." The U.S. has already imposed restrictions on several people, including some Venezuelans, he added.

The Caribbean island nation's health service generates major export earnings by sending health workers around the world.

"Cuba's labor export programs, which include the medical missions, enrich the Cuban regime, and in the case of Cuba's overseas medical missions, deprive ordinary Cubans of the medical care they desperately need in their home country," Rubio said.

The Cuban government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The United States and Cuba have had a strained relationship since Fidel Castro took over in a 1959 revolution, and a U.S. trade embargo has been in place for decades.

Reuters

Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Trinidad Times.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

In defense of Californian lands, migrant workers dig in

Migrant workers helping make America great again

When the Eaton Fire began on January 7, 2025, in Altadena, California, it blazed through residential neighborhoods, destroying thousands...

5 officers charged as police department in Alabama faces closure

Grand Jury wants police department in Alabama closed for corruption

HANCEVILLE, Alabama: A grand jury has recommended shutting down a small police department in Alabama due to widespread corruption after...

Mississippi judge tells newspaper to drop editorial criticizing mayor

Mississippi judge orders newspaper to remove editorial

CLARKSDALE, Mississippi: A judge in Mississippi has ordered a newspaper to take down an editorial that criticized the mayor and city...

Israel accused of criminalizing defense of human rights

Israel cracking down on human rights organizations

JERUSALEM, Israel - Two bills that have passed a preliminary reading in the Knesset have raised concerns among civil society groups...

Italy probes BYD, Stellantis, Tesla, and VW over EV performance claims

Italy investigates Stellantis, Tesla, VW, BYD over EV consumer info

MILAN, Italy: Italy's competition authority has launched an investigation into four major automakers—BYD, Stellantis, Tesla, and Volkswagen—over...

US military ordered to identify $50 billion in cuts for 2026 budget

Pentagon plans $50 billion in budget cuts for US defense priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Pentagon said this week that it has asked the military to find ways to cut about $50 billion from the 2026 budget....

Caribbean

Section