Cuban labour restriction: Guyana still to engage US gov’t – Jagdeo

As Caribbean leaders continue to express their disappointment at a recent United States decision to place visa restrictions on officials believed to be involved in the export of Cuban workers, Guyana’s Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said the Donald Trump administration will soon be engaged on the matter.

And Jagdeo believes the matter will be favourable resolved for all parties.

“I can assure you that there is a regional as well as a national engagement with the US State Department on these maters.

“We want to have Cuban professionals working in our health system, they are an invaluable support in our health system, but we also want to ensure that they have free choice,” Jagdeo said at his weekly press conference on Thursday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced the restrictions. As articulated in a statement from Mr. Rubio, the administration believes that Cuba nets much income from a “forced labour” programme. Doctors and other health workers, in particular, are believed to be part of this programme.

Previously, Jagdeo noted that Cuban healthcare workers have been supporting countries for decades, an arrangement that transcends multiple US administrations. And he believes that the Cuban medical presence has supported Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s healthcare systems.

Caribbean countries, including Guyana, have maintained good relations with Cuba and advocate for an improved US/ Cuba relationship. The US and Cuba have maintained a strained relationship for decades now, following the Cuban revolution in the 1950s.

Jagdeo, however, noted that leaders of the Cairbbean Community (CARICOM) are hoping to engage Mr. Rubio or President Donald Trump directly on this issue and other matters like trade.

Amid strong statements of dissatisfaction from other Caribbean leaders, Jagdeo Thursday noted that the Guyana Government is keen on pursuing diplomatic solutions.

“We don’t do diplomacy in the public and I believe that we have a strong engagement with the Trump administration and the State Department that will allow this matter to be resolved with the satisfaction of all parties,’ he said.