U.S. Criticises Cuban Medical Program as Human Trafficking Scheme After Kenya Signs Controversial Health Deal

The United States has sharply criticized the Cuban Medical Program, months after Kenya deepened its health cooperation with Havana. Washington now describes the program as exploitative and comparable to human trafficking. The criticism comes at a sensitive time for Nairobi, which recently signed new health agreements with Cuba and faced legal hurdles over a separate U.S.-Kenya health framework. As geopolitical tensions rise, Kenya finds itself caught between global powers competing for influence in its healthcare system and its broader development agenda. US President Donald Trump frames the Cuban Medical Program as exploitative, pressuring Kenya to balance healthcare benefits with U.S. warnings while navigating the geopolitical fallout of past and ongoing international scrutiny. Why the Cuban Medical Program Is Under Fresh U.S. Scrutiny The renewed criticism of the Cuban Medical Program follows remarks by Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, who publicly condemned Cuba’s overseas medical missions. Speaking on Wednesday, February 25, Rubio accused the Cuban government of exploiting its own medical professionals by withholding most of their earnings and restricting their freedom of movement.

Rubio argued that host governments pay large sums of money to the Cuban state, yet doctors allegedly receive only a fraction of that compensation. He claimed the arrangement resembles labour trafficking because the Cuban government controls doctors’ contracts, travel, and remuneration. According to him, governments that participate in the Cuban Medical Program effectively channel funds to the Cuban regime instead of directly benefiting the professionals on the ground.

He further stated that Cuban doctors often work under conditions that limit their personal freedom, suggesting that they cannot move freely or negotiate independent contracts. Rubio insisted that such terms undermine basic labour rights and international standards.

His remarks gained additional attention after reports that Cuban military forces allegedly fired on a U.S. boat off Cuba’s northern coast on the same day, killing four people and injuring six others. Although the maritime incident and the medical program are separate issues, the timing intensified political tensions and sharpened Washington’s rhetoric against Havana.

For Kenya, the criticism raises questions about the long-term implications of engaging in the Cuban Medical Program at a time when it also seeks closer ties with the United States. Kenya’s Expanding Cooperation Under the Cuban Medical Program Kenya formally strengthened its engagement with Cuba in June 2025 when the Ministry of Health signed a cooperation agreement aimed at boosting universal health coverage. Under the deal, Cuba would leverage its community-based primary healthcare model to support Kenya’s grassroots health system.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale championed deeper collaboration between the two countries. He pushed for expanded partnerships in digital health, telemedicine, technical exchanges, and biotechnology. The agreement also explored Cuban support in local vaccine production and pharmaceutical manufacturing, with both sides proposing a structured memorandum of understanding to guide service delivery and academic exchanges.

Cuba has supported Kenya’s health sector for years. The Cuban Medical Program deployed 84 Cuban doctors to Kenyan counties and trained 48 Kenyan doctors through joint programs. The cooperation aimed to fill specialist gaps, especially in underserved regions.

Supporters argue that Cuban doctors have strengthened county hospitals and improved access to specialized care. They point to Cuba’s strong record in primary healthcare and preventive medicine, which aligns with Kenya’s push for universal health coverage.

However, Washington’s intervention now casts a shadow over that partnership. The U.S. position suggests that any continued participation in the Cuban Medical Program cou…