Caribbean leaders are resisting recent moves by the US to crack down on Cuban medical missions in the region, saying their services are essential.

US State Secretary Marco Rubio recently said the US will move restrict the visas of those involved with Cuban missions, which he called “forced labor.”

Leaders from Jamaica, Guyana St Vincent and T&T have spoken in support of the Cuban doctors saying the doctors provide critical care to the health system.

According to AP News, Cuba currently has more than 20,000 doctors working in 56 nations, boosting health care across the Caribbean, especially in impoverished nations with limited medical services.