Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Cuba warns that escalating US pressure and new sanctions could trigger an unprecedented surge in migration, exacerbating the island’s ongoing economic and social crises.
Cuba issued a stark warning on Tuesday, cautioning that the United States’ increasing pressure could lead to a new surge in migration from the island, particularly after Washington imposed fresh sanctions targeting Cuba’s key revenue-generating sector: the export of medical professionals.
Since taking office in January, the US administration has escalated its efforts against Cuba, including quickly reversing a significant agreement that had previously removed the island from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. This decision marked a shift in the US stance, renewing tensions between the two nations that had somewhat eased under the previous administration. With the new measures, Cuba finds itself at the center of an intensified economic and diplomatic battle, one that could have profound consequences for its people, especially concerning the ongoing migration crisis.
Cuba is currently grappling with its largest wave of emigration since the 1959 communist revolution. Economic hardships, combined with the aftermath of rare and widespread mass protests in 2021, have contributed to this unprecedented outflow. Over the past decade, Cuba has seen a significant reduction in its population, a trend accelerated by these factors. According to census data, since 2012, approximately one million people, or around 10% of the island’s population, have left Cuba. The majority of these migrants have sought refuge in the United States, with nearly 700,000 Cubans arriving between January 2022 and August 2024, either through legal channels or by crossing the border unlawfully.
This increase in migration has been exacerbated by the US administration’s prioritization of large-scale deportations. However, despite these deportation efforts, Cuba has continued to accept deported citizens from the US, maintaining a consistent arrangement that was initially set up during the prior administration. While the US has taken a firm stance on curbing migration through stringent measures, Cuba has adhered to the established deportation protocols, showcasing a level of cooperation, despite the growing tension between the two nations.
Among the most vocal critics of the Cuban government is a well-known Cuban-American official who has consistently argued that the only issue worth negotiating with Cuba is the removal of its communist government. This perspective aligns with the broader hardline approach that has characterized the current US administration’s policy towards Cuba. The focus on regime change and the desire to isolate the island further have been central to the discourse on Cuba within US foreign policy.
Further escalating the situation, the US has announced that it will impose visa restrictions on several unidentified government officials from Central America. These individuals are accused of collaborating with Cuba to facilitate the recruitment and export of medical professionals. This latest move is part of a broader effort to restrict Cuba’s ability to generate income from its medical missions, which have long been a cornerstone of its foreign policy and a significant source of revenue.
For years, Cuba has utilized the export of medical professionals as a powerful tool for both diplomatic influence and economic benefit. The island has been sending doctors abroad for decades, particularly to developing countries, where its medical professionals are often seen as crucial to local healthcare systems. These programs not only provide financial relief to Cuba’s economy but also serve as a form of soft power, strengthening its relationships with various countries.
In 2023, Cuba deployed 22,632 medical professionals, including doctors, to 57 countries. This number underscores the continued importance of Cuba’s medical exports. The financial impact is significant, with Cuba earning approximately $6.3 billion in 2018 and $3.9 billion in 2020 from these programs, with some of the funds coming in the form of oil from Venezuela as part of a broader bilateral agreement. Despite the financial strain that Cuba faces, this medical diplomacy remains one of the most profitable sectors for the island, making it a target for the new US sanctions.
In the face of international pressure, Cuba has found support from some countries, particularly in the Caribbean. During a visit in March, Jamaica and several other Caribbean nations rejected the US’s efforts to disrupt Cuba’s medical programs, emphasizing the critical role that Cuban doctors play in their healthcare systems. These nations have argued that Cuban doctors are not only essential to their healthcare infrastructure but also deserve the same rights as any other foreign workers. This solidarity highlights the complexity of the situation, with Cuba’s medical missions being deeply embedded in the Caribbean’s healthcare systems.
Despite the escalating tensions and sanctions, Cuba continues to rely heavily on its medical professionals abroad, with no immediate signs that the government will scale back its medical exports. As the US intensifies its efforts to limit Cuba’s economic and diplomatic influence, it is clear that the stakes in the ongoing dispute are growing higher, with the potential for increased migration and further economic instability on the horizon.
