Guatemala Phases Out Cuban Doctors Program Amid U.S. Pressure

Guatemala is set to end its nearly 30-year-aged program utilizing Cuban doctors, a move that comes as the United States increases pressure on Havana and countries relying on Cuba’s medical missions. The decision reflects a shifting geopolitical landscape in the region and growing cooperation between Guatemala and the U.S.

A Three-Decade Partnership

For decades, Cuba has dispatched medical professionals to countries around the world, particularly in Latin America and Africa, earning substantial revenue in the process. This “white coat army,” as it’s sometimes called, has filled critical healthcare gaps in nations facing shortages of trained medical personnel. The program with Guatemala began following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system and left rural communities without access to medical care. The New York Times reported on February 10, 2026, that Guatemala’s health ministry announced a “gradual termination” of the program this year.

Why the Change?

Guatemala’s health ministry stated the withdrawal stems from an assessment that the mission has completed its objectives. But, the decision is widely seen as a response to increasing pressure from the United States, which aims to limit Cuba’s revenue streams, and influence. The program currently involves 412 Cuban medical workers, including 333 doctors.

U.S. Opposition to Cuban Medical Missions

The United States has labeled Cuba’s foreign medical missions as a form of “forced labor” and human trafficking, allegations Cuba denies. Washington has implemented visa restrictions targeting individuals involved in these programs, aiming to discourage foreign governments from participating. In February 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced restrictions on visas for those linked to the Cuban labor export program. The U.S. Government’s actions are part of a broader effort to isolate Cuba economically and politically.

Historical Context: U.S.-Cuba Relations

Tensions between the U.S. And Cuba date back to the 1959 Cuban Revolution, which ousted the U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) subsequently attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro’s government, most notably through the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. This history of conflict and intervention has shaped the ongoing dynamic between the two countries.

Guatemala’s Shift Towards the U.S.

The phasing out of the Cuban doctors program coincides with a closer relationship between Guatemala and the United States under President Bernardo Arévalo, who took office in January 2024. Last year, Guatemala increased the number of deportation flights it receives from the U.S., reflecting a broader trend of cooperation on immigration enforcement.

Regional Implications

Guatemala is not the first country to scale back its reliance on Cuban medical missions. In 2018, Brazil, under then-President Jair Bolsonaro, withdrew from Cuba’s “Mais Médicos” (More Doctors) program, with Bolsonaro criticizing the mission as “slave labor.” However, other Caribbean nations have resisted U.S. Pressure, recognizing the vital role Cuban doctors play in their healthcare systems. In March 2025, leaders from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines publicly defended the Cuban medical missions, even expressing willingness to risk losing U.S. Visas rather than sacrificing access to Cuban healthcare professionals.

Cuba’s Medical Diplomacy

Cuba has sent medical missions to over 56 countries, with more than 24,000 doctors currently working abroad. These missions have been particularly crucial in providing healthcare to underserved populations and responding to emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when Cuban doctors were deployed to Italy to assist overwhelmed hospitals.

Looking Ahead

The phasing out of the Cuban doctors program in Guatemala signals a continued escalation of U.S. Pressure on Cuba and its allies. As the U.S. Seeks to reassert its influence in the Western Hemisphere, Cuba’s medical diplomacy is likely to remain a key point of contention. The long-term impact of this shift on healthcare access in Guatemala and the broader region remains to be seen.