The United States government decided to implement measures against government officials and organizations that contribute to the trafficking of Cuban doctors, denying them US visas.
The sanctions were established to dissuade the governments of other countries from hiring the medical brigades offered by the regime, which have come to be compared in recent years to practices of modern slavery.
And the island’s government charges thousands of dollars for each of the doctors sent abroad, while giving less than 10% of this salary to health professionals in exchange for long work hours under adverse conditions.
Additionally, it has become known that this money is not given to them immediately, but is retained until they return to the Island, to avoid possible desertions.
The sanction is added to the one established last year by the US against those people who facilitate the trafficking of migrants to Nicaraguawhich was intended for managers of charter flight companies.
Other measures announced by the US
This and other measures were established as part of the State Appropriations, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Act for the current fiscal year.
The announcement of these sanctions was made by Cuban-American congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, during a press conference held this Wednesday, April 3.
#Last minute | @MarioDB announces visa restrictions for governments and organizations that contribute to the trafficking of Cuban doctors. It also increases the budget of Radio and TV Martí and eliminates any possibility of using federal funds for small businesses in Cuba,… pic.twitter.com/kGXRdbmfn0
— Mario J. Pentón (@MarioJPenton) April 3, 2024
At this event, it was also revealed that the US would implement an increase in the Radio and TV Martí provided for in said legislation, as well as the prohibition of the use of federal funds for use in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Cuba (MSMEs) linked to the Castro regime.
At the end of last month, the United States Congress approved a bill in favor of democracy in the Greater Antilles, which included these measures under the title of the Consolidated Additional Appropriations Act 2024.
The text, written by Díaz-Balart, proposed the allocation of 25 million dollars to finance the promotion of democracy on the Island, which represented an increase of 25% compared to previous periods.
In addition, the proposal to allocate another 25 million dollars for the Transmission Office to Cuba was included, which includes the press outlet Radio and TV Martí.
When approved this Wednesday by the US Senate with 74 votes in favor and 24 against, the law will allow the financing of democracy promotion policies on the communist island.
With this, the so-called State Appropriations, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPS) Act provides $58.346 billion in total funding for the State Department, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other similar programs. .
“The FY24 SFOPS bill invests in America’s engagement, competitiveness, and global leadership at a crucial time when our role on the world stage is being questioned,” said Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Senate on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, Chris Coons, Democratic senator from the state of Delaware.
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