THE Government of Jamaica has pledged continued support for the roughly 270 Jamaican students still studying in crisis-hit Cuba, with Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith reaffirming the Government’s commitment to the students’
welfare.

Johnson Smith told a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House Wednesday that her ministry has been closely monitoring the students who remain in Cuba, 40 of whom are sponsored by Cuban scholarships, which are supported by the Government of Jamaica, further noting that one private student has formally advised of his return home.

Meanwhile, she noted that more than 65 students, including five on government scholarships, have completed their medical studies for the 2025-2026 academic year.

“Three others have indicated that they are in the process of continuing their studies elsewhere through academic transfer, and we have to caveat these numbers because we understand anecdotally that others have returned, but they have not formally notified us,” Johnson Smith said.

“And this is understandable, they are there privately, and on their own steam, but just to say that we have the information…and we also have a line of communication that allows for them to not only indicate their return, but to request assistance if they so need,” said the minister.

Johnson Smith noted that those students who remain are offered pathways to repatriation should they express a desire to return.

“This is because our concern remains for their safety, well-being, and academic continuity. We know that prolonged power cuts and reduced public transportation causes challenges for their way of life, and the Government has communicated our preparedness to assist with one-way return tickets should they wish to return but have a difficulty with affordability,” she said.

“We continue to engage the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Health, as well as medical tertiary institutions on what, if anything, can be done for those who may wish to return and continue their studies here,” she added.

Many of the Cuban medical students have seen classes suspended or moved online with limited connectivity, as Cuba faces an ongoing energy crisis, worsened by a United States blockade on fuel shipments.

The island’s fuel shortages have been triggering frequent, lengthy, and unpredictable electricity interruptions, affecting not only education but also access to food, medical supplies, and transportation.

Back in February, Johnson Smith said some students had been reaching out and advised that their institutions either closed for a period, in one case for four weeks; and others said that classes had been suspended in favour of virtual studies, which saw challenges with Internet and electricity.

To maintain direct contact, Johnson Smith noted the ministry created a WhatsApp group, at that time linking roughly 320 students with officials in Kingston and the Jamaican Embassy in Havana, a move that allowed the Government to register many privately funded students who were previously outside formal channels.

In the meantime, Johnson Smith said Wednesday that the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Cuba by contributing US$100,000 through the Caribbean Community (Caricom) as a humanitarian relief effort.

She said Jamaica joined Caricom heads of Government in continuing to express deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Cuba and reaffirmed its commitment to a coordinated regional response to provide humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people.

“While speaking as long-standing friends of both the United States and Cuba, Caricom underscored in our joint single statement that civilian needs must remain the highest priority. We welcomed recent rounds of discussions between the governments and continue to advocate for constructive dialogue as the most effective path to relieve hardship on the people of Cuba,” said Johnson Smith.

The minister added that many Cuban medical professionals who had left the island following an abrupt end to the long-standing health technical cooperation arrangement in March 2026 have since returned to Jamaica and are continuing work under new arrangements with the health and wellness ministry. Johnson Smith added that those who chose to remain are still being accommodated as they continue to work under individual contracts.

“We all continue to value the significant contribution that Cuban medical professionals have made to our health sector over many years, and following the conclusion of the technical cooperation programme, you’d recall that a number of Cuban medical professionals chose to remain in Jamaica and continue to work under personal contracts,” she said.

“Others who had left have since returned and, again, are working here under individual contracts. So we just want to confirm that, under the new arrangements, the Ministry of Health and Wellness engages Cuban professionals on an individual basis in keeping