The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has announced the expansion of the country’s visa restrictions targeting individuals connected to Cuba’s controversial labor export program, particularly its overseas medical missions.
In a statement on Tuesday, Rubio stated that the policy now applies to current or former Cuban government officials, as well as foreign government officials believed to be responsible for or involved in the program.
According to the statement, the immediate family members of these individuals are also subject to the restrictions.
He noted that actions have already been taken against several individuals, including Venezuelans, under the expanded measures.
The statement reads, “Today, we announce the expansion of an existing Cuba-related visa restriction policy that targets forced labor linked to the Cuban labor export program.
“This expanded policy applies to current or former Cuban government officials, and other individuals, including foreign government officials, who are believed to be responsible for, or involved in, the Cuban labor export program, particularly Cuba’s overseas medical missions.
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“This policy also applies to the immediate family of such persons. The Department has already taken steps to impose visa restrictions on several individuals, including Venezuelans, under this expanded policy.
”Cuba continues to profit from the forced labor of its workers and the regime’s abusive and coercive labor practices are well documented. Cuba’s labor export programs, which include the medical missions, enrich the Cuban regime, and in the case of Cuba’s overseas medical missions, deprive ordinary Cubans of the medical care they desperately need in their home country.
“The United States is committed to countering forced labor practices around the globe. To do so, we must promote accountability not just for Cuban officials responsible for these policies, but also those complicit in the exploitation and forced labor of Cuban workers.”
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