On Wednesday, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel launched an attack on U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, accusing him of spearheading a "malicious" campaign aimed at dismantling Cuba's international medical brigades, often criticized as a form of modern slavery. In a recent episode of his podcast, "Desde la Presidencia," Díaz-Canel labeled the Republican senator as "a cynic flaunting his Cuban heritage who does nothing but look for ways to harm Cuba."
During his address, Díaz-Canel appeared visibly perturbed by the diplomatic pressure his government faces regarding the justification for the ongoing presence of Cuban medical teams abroad. He accused Washington of orchestrating a "perverse campaign" intended to block Cuba from earning revenue through the export of healthcare services. "They are trying to destroy a noble activity like medical cooperation," he claimed, while omitting the documented allegations from former collaborators about coercion, surveillance, and partial confiscation of their wages during these missions.
According to Díaz-Canel, the criticism from Rubio and the administration led by Donald Trump forms part of an ideological offensive designed to discredit what he sees as one of the strengths of Cuba's socialist system: medicine as a "tool of international solidarity." Nevertheless, the official rhetoric continues to overlook legitimate questions about the voluntary nature of these missions, the control exerted by the state over professionals sent abroad, and the lack of transparency in handling the generated income.
Political Rhetoric vs. Reality
Díaz-Canel recounted an unverified claim that a Caribbean nation had told U.S. officials, "We can withdraw Cuban doctors if you ensure replacements," without naming the country or providing evidence. This verbal assault is just the latest in a series of statements where the Cuban leader attempts to portray his government as the victim of an imperialist blockade, while emphasizing the concept of "patriotic medicine" aligned with revolutionary humanism.
However, beyond the triumphant rhetoric, the reality in Cuba reveals a healthcare system severely impacted by resource shortages, mass migration of professionals, and the structural decay of hospitals and clinics. Despite these challenges, Díaz-Canel continues to use this issue as a cornerstone for political legitimacy. "Our medicine does not produce professionals who measure success by financial gain, but by human improvement," he insisted, seemingly more focused on shielding the Cuban model from external criticism than addressing the internal deficiencies of the healthcare system.
Rubio's Stance and International Reactions
Meanwhile, Rubio has been an advocate for sanctions against countries hiring Cuban medical brigades, which he describes as a form of "modern slavery." These statements have been supported by reports from international organizations documenting abusive labor conditions. Havana, however, categorically rejects these claims, attributing them to political maneuvers by the Cuban exile community and the international right-wing.
FAQs on Cuba's International Medical Brigades
What is the controversy surrounding Cuba's international medical brigades?
Cuba's international medical brigades have been accused of being a form of modern slavery due to control over personnel and lack of transparency in wages. The Cuban government defends it as a noble humanitarian effort.
Why is Marco Rubio critical of these medical brigades?
Marco Rubio criticizes the medical brigades as exploitative and supports sanctions against countries that employ them, arguing they are used as a tool by the Cuban government for financial gain.