ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – The Authorities of Grenada says it has taken notice of the imposition of visa restrictions on authorities officers. In an announcement on Thursday, the Authorities mentioned the Ministry of International Affairs is actively engaged with the authorities of the USA, by way of established diplomatic channels, in addressing this matter.
“We guarantee the individuals of Grenada that your Authorities is attending to this case with the utmost accountability and in the very best pursuits of our nation.
We urge the general public to be guided by official data issued by the Ministry of International Affairs, as we’ll present additional updates as acceptable.”
On Wednesday, 5 months after Grenada’s international and finance ministers declared they have been prepared to surrender their US visa in assist of the individuals of Cuba, the US State Division introduced that it had imposed visa restrictions on authorities officers in Grenada, Africa, and Cuba.
“At present, the Division of State took steps to impose visa restrictions on African, Cuban, and Grenadian authorities officers, and their relations, for his or her complicity within the Cuban regime’s medical mission scheme through which medical professionals are ‘rented’ by different international locations at excessive costs and many of the income is stored by the Cuban authorities,” mentioned an announcement from the Workplace of the Spokesperson for the State Division.
The assertion, which referred to the medical professionals as working for his or her enslavers, mentioned, “This scheme enriches the corrupt Cuban regime whereas depriving the Cuban individuals of important medical care.” “The USA continues to have interaction governments and can take motion as wanted to convey an finish to such compelled labour. We urge governments to pay the medical doctors instantly for his or her companies, not the regime enslavers.”
The assertion mentioned that the USA goals to assist the Cuban individuals of their pursuit of freedom and dignity and promote accountability for individuals who perpetuate their exploitation.
“We name on all nations that assist democracy and human rights to affix us on this effort to confront the Cuban regime’s abuses and stand with the Cuban individuals.”
On March 19, Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall mentioned he and others within the Authorities have been prepared to surrender their US visas in assist of the individuals of Cuba as a result of as a graduate of a Cuban College he has an ethical obligation. As a authorities minister he believes that the Cuban medical doctors and nurses in Grenada’s healthcare system are offering irreplaceable service.
“I at all times imagine it’s a must to put the individuals above one’s political self and, in that sense, I imagine that my authorities has already sighted that we’re ready to go to the intense to ensure to maintain our individuals secure,” Cornwall mentioned as a visitor of the weekly Wednesday Authorities hour on the Grenada Broadcasting Community. “So, if it signifies that we’ve to surrender our visa rights to the US to ensure that Grenada stands behind Cuba as one of many international locations that assist Grenada in thick and skinny, so be it,” he added.
“I’m personally one of many individuals who graduated from Cuba…and as such, I’ve an ethical obligation to assist the Cubans in each approach. So, if it signifies that the Authorities of the US have to remove our visas as a result of we assist the Cuban initiative, be it,” he advised the host who requested concerning the Authorities’s response to the latest announcement that the Trump Administration is increasing an current Cuba-related visa restriction coverage that targets compelled labour linked to the Cuban labour export programme.
“This expanded coverage applies to present or former Cuban authorities officers, and different people, together with international authorities officers, who’re believed to be accountable for, or concerned in, the Cuban labour export programme, significantly Cuba’s abroad medical missions,” mentioned the announcement posted on the State Division web site.
On the time, Cornwall mentioned that wrapping up the Cuban medical mission in Grenada would lead to important hurt to the island’s healthcare system. “The Cuban medical doctors and nurses who’ve visited our shores through the years have carried out a precious service to our individuals,” he mentioned.
Whereas contributing to the 2025 funds debate in mid-March, International Affairs Minister Joseph Andall, who can also be a Cuban graduate, mentioned that Grenada not solely has a authorized, ethical, and moral obligation to face by the individuals of Cuba, however the island ought to keep away from being opportunistic or transactional because it pertains to the relations between each international locations.
