Nashville Standard

Rep. Mark Green has reintroduced a bipartisan resolution in Congress to condemn the Cuban regime's practices related to human trafficking and forced labor, particularly involving medical personnel deployed globally. The Trump administration has recently announced expanded visa restrictions targeting officials involved in these activities.

"A year after I introduced this resolution, the Cuban regime continues to traffic its medical personnel around the world," stated Rep. Green. "The regime has infringed upon the fundamental rights of healthcare workers for years. This modern-day slavery must come to an end."

Green further emphasized, "We are standing up for Cuban healthcare workers to ensure they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve." His resolution also criticizes Cuba's medical brigade program and urges foreign governments to directly compensate Cuban medical professionals.

Maria Welau from Cuba Archive expressed strong support for Green's resolution, advocating for prioritizing visa restrictions on health ministers complicit in such practices. Dr. Eric Patterson of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation described Cuba’s medical brigades as "forced labor schemes masquerading as humanitarian assistance."

The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Maria Salazar, Carlos Gimenez, and Jared Moskowitz and endorsed by organizations like Cuba Archive and Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

Cuban medical personnel have reportedly faced severe conditions under coercion worldwide, with wages often confiscated along with credentials and passports. The U.S. State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Person Report highlights these issues alongside additional hardships like surveillance and curfews.

For further details on related communications from Rep. Green regarding this issue, various documents including letters sent to PAHO and former President Biden are available for review.