On March 5, 2026, Jamaica's foreign minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, declared that the Caribbean nation would be ending its decades-long collaboration with Cuba regarding medical personnel support. This unexpected move comes amid escalating criticism from the United States, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled Cuba's medical missions as a form of "forced labor" and "human trafficking."

The agreement, which had been in effect for many years, was essential for Jamaica’s healthcare system, with over 400 Cuban doctors, nurses, and technicians working on the island. However, the Jamaican government cited an inability to reach new terms and conditions as the reason for ending the arrangement, which officially expired in February 2023.

While Jamaica opens the door for individual engagement with Cuban medical professionals under local labor laws, the community reacts to the implications of losing a vital source of healthcare support. Recently, local health officials indicated that nearly 300 Cuban medical specialists are still in Jamaica under existing contracts.

The announcement comes on the heels of a similar situation in Honduras, where a newly elected right-wing government canceled its own agreement with Cuba, leading to the exodus of more than 150 Cuban medical staff.

Cuba’s deputy foreign minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, condemned the U.S. pressure on sovereign nations to retract agreements with Cuba, arguing that it undermines access to quality healthcare for citizens.

The ramifications of this decision continue to unfold as Jamaica navigates its healthcare needs amid international pressures and changing political landscapes in the region.