We also asked Bernard about the future of the Cuban medical brigade in Belize. As you probably know, the government of Cuba is under intense pressure from US sanctions. And in our region the U.S. is pressuring Caribbean nations to terminate agreements with Cuban medical brigades, calling the program "forced labor" and human trafficking.
Bernard discussed the status of the program here in Belize:
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health
"As far as I know, we continue. We still have the Cuban Brigades her I know that there was some questions and concerns by the US government in terms of what processes we utilize in terms of payments to the medical brigade. As I have said openly, these people get paid just as everybody they get their salary directly paid to them at the Treasury. And so there is nothing that we pay the government of Cuba. We pay these people here, we have made that clear to the US government, and persons who have come to ask these questions. Of course, that's something that the government, the cabinet and, will have to look at. We have to understand that as a country, we have to look at the best interest of our country, our people. And while I can tell you that the Cubans have been able to fill a gap for Belize, and they have been very supportive to this country for many, many years, I mean, Cuba is one of our allied countries in the region. So our neighboring country, and I think that Cuba was one of the first to step up in favor of Belize when Belize went for independence, they were the first to stand up on Belize's side. And so we have to really think, about some of these pressures that are coming of course, I understand that, you've seen it, around the world I understand that the Honduran government had to get rid of all the members of the Cuban Brigade in their country due to pressures. But as a country, I take that decision will have to come after careful thought, careful consideration. We are not there yet. I can tell you that we are not there yet. And we continue to enjoy the benefits of the Cuban, brigade that is here. They have been filling a huge human resource gap that we have in the country. Should we have to do go the route as Honduras how will we then fill those gaps when we are already short of doctors and nurses in this country that's the big question, and I hope that those who are looking at these things from that perspective, understand the dynamics that we as small countries face. We as a country in this region face. And I think, the Prime Minister Holness, made it very clear that we must be clear on the position of what is affecting the people of Cuba in Cuba."
