Some of the Cuban specialised medical personnel deployed in Botswana’s national healthcare programmes might have been compelled to work against their will, violating human trafficking laws. This assertion is made in a harshly worded 2023 U.S State department annual human trafficking report, which covers the time period from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.
The Cuban government has categorically disputed any criticism of its medical brigades, claiming that they serve as models of cooperation. However if U.S.A’s insinuations are proven to be true, Botswana could be accused of being complacent and complicit in human trafficking, which could sour diplomatic relations. Although Botswana was downgraded from Tier 2 to Tier 2 Watch List, Cuba is designated Tier 3 in this year’s report, the lowest possible level reserved for countries that violate international trafficking accords with no intention of improving.
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