Over 150 individuals gathered at National Heroes Circle in Kingston on Tuesday to show their support for the Cuban government in the face of mounting pressure from the United States.

The demonstration took place as U.S. President Donald Trump issued threats to “take over” the Spanish-speaking Caribbean island. This protest also follows Jamaica’s recent decision to terminate a 50-year medical cooperation programme with Cuba, a move that critics argue was influenced by pressure from Washington.

The end of the Jamaica-Cuba medical programme marks a significant shift in regional healthcare cooperation. While the Jamaican government insists the decision was based on legal and labor considerations, the move has raised questions about the future of healthcare access in Jamaica and the influence of international politics on regional partnerships.

The Jamaican government announced the discontinuation of its decades-old medical cooperation programme with Cuba, which had brought hundreds of Cuban medical professionals to Jamaica for over 50 years. The decision, announced on March 5, 2026, came after both governments failed to agree on the terms and conditions of a new technical cooperation arrangement following the expiration of the previous agreement in February 2023. The Jamaican government stated that it was willing to engage Cuban medical professionals on an individual basis, in compliance with local labor laws, but emphasized that the programme could not continue under the existing terms due to legal and labor concerns.