KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – International Affairs Minister Kamala Johnson Smith says no indicators of human trafficking have been discovered within the Cuban medical cooperation program. On Thursday, Johnson Smith stated this was the result of a overview carried out lengthy earlier than any worldwide scrutiny surfaced.
“Whereas a overview course of was progressing properly and there might be administrative enhancements, Kingston was “assured within the integrity of this program,” stated Johnson Smith of the 50-year-strong medical mission partnership between Jamaica and Cuba.
“We proceed to interact diplomatically, together with discussions with the Cuban international minister, the present head of the US Embassy, and naturally between Caricom international ministers, to trade views and make sure the greatest understanding and outcomes of this matter,” the minister stated.
Her assertion on Thursday got here days after United States President Donald Trump threatened to cancel the visas of any authorities officers in addition to their instant relations from international locations nonetheless partnering with Cuba for his or her medical missions program.
The president had alleged that this system facilitated the exploitation of Cuban medical personnel.
Jamaica’s non-adversarial dealing with of this matter displays not solely our observe of diplomacy however the energy of our bilateral relationships with Cuba and the USA,” Johnson Smith stated.
A number of Caribbean leaders have taken a far firmer stance on the threats from the Trump Administration. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Keith Rowley, then-Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, indicated their readiness to forged away their US visas to assist the longstanding medical program. Hundreds of Cuban nurses have been offering crucial care throughout the Caribbean, together with Jamaica, for years.
That partnership dates again to 1976 in Jamaica, and whereas the memorandum of understanding is being reviewed for renewal, Johnson-Smith has expressed her confidence in it.
“Given the MOU’s expiration final yr, we had already begun a overview course of earlier than worldwide considerations have been raised. Whereas now we have recognized just a few areas for alignment with our abroad labor packages, we’re assured that the Cuban program is a authentic bilateral cooperation program, not an instance of trafficking,” Johnson Smith stated.
She defended the federal government’s diplomatic method as one which had “typically led to constructive engagement and productive outcomes on difficult points.”
