The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE top US government official in The Bahamas downplayed the impact of the Trump administration’s Cuba-related visa restriction policy on this country, framing the expansion announcement as an effort to prompt a broader inquiry into how Cuban workers are treated and paid, rather than a measure targeting The Bahamas or any local government official.

US Charge d’Affaires Kimberly Furnish said the US inquiry into Cuba’s medical programme was part of a global review involving all US embassies worldwide, emphasising that while the US has raised concerns about Cuban labour practices, there was no proof that such issues existed in The Bahamas.

“The Cuban medical programme is something that we are concerned about — there have been some human rights issues within that programme,” she told reporters.

 She confirmed that discussions had already taken place between her office and that of Prime Minister Philip Davis.

 Last month, the Trump administration announced that the expansion of its Cuba-related visa restriction policy applies to foreign government officials who are believed to be responsible for or involved in Cuba’s labour export programme, mainly that country’s overseas medical missions. The policy also applies to the immediate family of such people.

 US officials are concerned about how much of their salaries Cuban workers ultimately receive and whether they are coerced to work under stringent, restrictive conditions.

 Some Caribbean leaders have responded by emphasising the critical roles of Cuban medical professionals in their healthcare systems.

 Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that the US is considering a travel ban on citizens from 43 countries. The Bahamas was not on the list, which included St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada.

 “These are countries in the region that have something called the citizenship by investment programme — The Bahamas doesn’t have such a programme,” Office of the Prime Minister Communications Director Latrae Rahming said.

 She said the government had no immediate concerns about The Bahamas being included in any travel bans.

 Ms Furnish also emphasised that visa relations between the two countries remain unchanged.

“We’ve had good visa relationships now, in the past, and always,” she said. “It’s all just about following rules and regulations, and Bahamians are very good at doing that. So we’re really proud of our relationship there.”