The United States Congress has passed a new law targeting nations that participate in the human trafficking of Cuban doctors through international medical missions.
Signed in February 2026, the legislation was authored by Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart and is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026.
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The law requires the US State Department to list and notify all countries that pay the Cuban regime for medical workers.
Nations that remain on the list for two consecutive years will lose all US foreign aid.
In addition, foreign officials involved in the program could face US visa bans, asset freezes, and property blocks.
According to Diaz-Balart, the Cuban dictatorship earns an estimated $4 billion to $8 billion annually from the program, with regime operatives withholding 75% to 95% of the doctors' earnings.
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The US State Department has classified the medical missions as “human trafficking” or “forced labor” since 2020, citing practices such as confiscating passports and monitoring personnel through handlers.
International Response
Following the law's enforcement, several nations including Guatemala, Jamaica, Guyana, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Paraguay, and Honduras are reducing or ending their use of Cuban medical personnel.
Other countries, such as the Bahamas, have attempted to modify terms by offering direct payments to the doctors, a move rejected by the Cuban dictatorship.
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The Trump administration has also imposed visa restrictions on officials from Brazil, Grenada, and select African nations tied to the program.
