U.S. Imposes Visa Bans Over Cuban Doctor Programme, Citing Exploitation

Washington, D.C., August 15, 2025 — The United States has imposed visa restrictions on officials from several African nations, Cuba, and Grenada, targeting governments that participate in Havana’s controversial medical export programme.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the initiative — which deploys Cuban doctors abroad while host governments remit the bulk of their wages to Havana — constitutes a form of labour exploitation and violates basic human rights protections.

U.S. Demands Reforms

The State Department urged participating countries to pay Cuban doctors directly rather than channelling salaries through Cuba’s government. Officials warned that visa bans would remain until governments end the practice and adopt fair labour arrangements for medical professionals.

Kenya’s Past Involvement

Kenya was part of the programme between 2018 and 2023, bringing in hundreds of Cuban specialists to plug gaps in local hospitals. However, the arrangement collapsed after sustained protests from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which argued that importing Cuban doctors sidelined qualified Kenyan medics and drained public resources.

Wider Geopolitical Context

The sanctions form part of Washington’s broader pressure campaign on Cuba, which relies heavily on exporting medical services to earn foreign currency. By penalising countries that facilitate the model, the U.S. hopes to curb Havana’s revenue streams and highlight labour rights violations tied to the scheme.

Analysts say the move could strain relations with African countries that have long turned to Cuban medical personnel to address chronic doctor shortages.