Paraguay Cancels Its Medical Cooperation Agreement with the Cuban Regime

AREQUIPA, Peru – The Government of Paraguay has suspended the health cooperation memorandum agreed to with the Castro regime in 2024, according to a statement released by the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC).

“FHRC applauds the brave decision of the Government of the Republic of Paraguay, under the leadership of President Santiago Peña, to suspend the ties established in the health cooperation memorandum signed by both governments in December 2024,” the statement reads.

The organization described the suspension as “a firm rejection” of practices that have been internationally recognized as human trafficking networks and labor slavery, carried out by the Cuban government through its so-called “medical missions.”

Tony Costa, president of FHRC, and Hugo Acha, director of research, expressed their gratitude to the Paraguayan president for his commitment to human rights and his willingness to take concrete action in response to the systematic violations documented within the Cuban medical brigades.

“The decision by the Government of Paraguay is an example to follow. It is unacceptable that other countries continue to maintain ties with a regime that exploits its healthcare professionals, subjecting them to inhumane working conditions and the violation of their fundamental rights,” the leaders stated.

Cuban Medical Missions: Allegations and Violations

The so-called “Cuban medical missions” have been widely criticized by the international community and labeled by multilateral organizations as a “form of modern slavery.”

At the end of last year, the United Nations (UN) placed the Cuban regime under scrutiny for its violations of human and labor rights, particularly concerning its medical professionals deployed in “international missions.” The accusation also implicates recipient countries such as Italy, Qatar, and Spain.

Tomoya Obokata, the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, sent a letter in November 2023 to the Cuban delegation at the Human Rights Council warning about persistent patterns resembling “forced labor,” as defined by International Labour Organization (ILO) indicators.

The Cuban “missions,” which include professionals from various fields such as medicine, education, engineering, and the arts, are described as instances of labor exploitation in the destination countries. The report highlights inadequate wages, confiscation of passports, restrictions on movement, surveillance by Cuban government agents, and cases of sexual harassment or violence, threats, and physical abuse.

The report also references ongoing allegations based on testimonies from Cuban personnel sent abroad and analyses of agreements and contracts, pointing to “numerous violations of basic human rights.” The Special Rapporteur acknowledges the importance and value of Cuban medical cooperation internationally but underscores concern about violations of fundamental rights such as privacy, freedom of expression, association, and movement. In response to these allegations, Cuba’s Permanent Mission to the Human Rights Council has denied applying pressure or retaliation against those who choose not to participate in the missions. However, Obokata maintains that many professionals are compelled to take part due to coercion by the Cuban regime and factors such as poverty and limited employment opportunities on the island.

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