US imposes visa restrictions on officials over Cuban medical worker program

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US announced visa restrictions and revocations Wednesday targeting government officials from Africa, Cuba, Grenada, Brazil and former Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) officials over their alleged roles in supporting a Cuban program that sends medical workers overseas.

The US State Department said the measures apply to officials and their family members accused of participating in schemes in which Cuban medical professionals are allegedly “rented” to foreign governments at high prices, with most of the revenue allegedly kept by Havana.

Specific officials from Africa, Cuba and Grenada were not identified by the department.

In a separate statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington also revoked the visas of two former Brazilian Health Ministry officials, Mozart Julio Tabosa Sales and Alberto Kleiman, for their alleged roles in implementing the Mais Medicos program through PAHO, allegedly enabling Havana to exploit Cuban doctors, bypass constitutional requirements and dodge US sanctions.

“Our action sends an unmistakable message that the United States promotes accountability for those who enable the Cuban regime’s forced labor export scheme,” Rubio said, urging governments to “pay the doctors directly for their services, not the regime slave masters.”