Grenada’s Ambassador to the USA met with a high-level delegation from the U.S. Division of State on Tuesday, August 19, in Washington, D.C., in what the Ministry of Overseas Affairs described as a “direct and constructive” follow-up to earlier diplomatic discussions.
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In accordance with the Ministry, the assembly was a follow-up to earlier diplomatic exchanges and supplied a chance for either side to interact in direct and constructive dialogue. Throughout the discussions, U.S. officers confirmed that visa restrictions can be utilized, and the Ministry has since obtained official notification that the nation’s Minister of Finance, Dennis Cornwall, is affected.
Regardless of the event, the Ministry stated: “Each side reaffirmed their unwavering dedication to their nations’ long-standing relationship. They’ve agreed to proceed utilising established diplomatic channels to handle all issues of mutual concern in a solution-oriented method. The Ministry of Overseas Affairs assures the general public that it’ll proceed to offer data as these diplomatic discussions proceed in knowledgeable and accountable method.”
The transfer comes within the wake of broader U.S. visa restrictions introduced in early August focusing on officers from Africa, Cuba, and Grenada — in addition to their members of the family — over their alleged roles in a Cuban authorities program that exports medical professionals underneath coercive situations.
In accordance with the State Division, the Cuban regime “rents” medical doctors to different international locations at excessive costs, holding a lot of the income whereas limiting Cubans’ entry to important medical care. The U.S. says the association enriches the Cuban authorities and constitutes a type of compelled labor.
“The US continues to interact governments, and can take motion as wanted, to convey an finish to such compelled labor,” the division stated in a press release, urging international locations to pay medical professionals instantly moderately than by means of “regime slave masters.”
Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall, a former graduate of a Cuban college, stated in March that he and different officers have been willing to give up their U.S. visas to support Cubans.
Cornwall beforehand burdened that ending the Cuban medical mission would considerably hurt Grenada’s healthcare system. He emphasised that Cuban medical doctors and nurses have supplied invaluable public service through the years.
