Antigua and Barbuda appears to have quietly ended its decades-long medical partnership with Cuba, following months of mounting pressure from the United States. The termination, which is still to be officially confirmed, has come as a surprise to many, particularly given Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s long-standing and vocal defence of the Cuban medical brigade.
In previous statements, Browne had described the Cuban doctors as the “core of our health services in the Caribbean”, warning that their absence would “practically dismantle” healthcare systems across the region. That firm stance now appears to have softened, though without any formal public acknowledgment from the government.
The United States has been urging Caribbean nations to sever ties with Cuba’s medical missions, citing allegations of “human trafficking” and insisting that payments be made directly to doctors rather than through the Cuban government. Washington has argued that the current arrangement exploits medical professionals and violates international labour standards.
Pressure intensified over the summer when US officials signalled that government leaders who facilitate the Cuban medical programmes could face personal sanctions. In response, Antigua and Barbuda initially attempted to adjust its approach, introducing what it described as “payment tweaks” in an effort to satisfy American demands while preserving the partnership.
The severance of the programme suggests those compromises were ultimately deemed insufficient.
Although reports of the programme’s end have circulated for weeks, the Browne administration has yet to issue an official statement confirming the decision or outlining how the country plans to fill the resulting gaps in healthcare delivery. The silence has been notable, particularly from a Prime Minister known for addressing controversial issues head-on.
Instead, it was Antigua and Barbuda’s opposition that publicly signalled the end of the partnership. In a December press release, the United Progressive Party expressed regret over the development while distancing itself from the decision.
“It is unfortunate that the mutually beneficial partnership our two countries forged has been ended so abruptly by the sitting administration,” the party said. “But we assure the government and people of Cuba that the United Progressive Party is neither ungrateful nor forgetful.”
