WPA Slams Irfaan Ali Government for Cowardly Stance on Cuban Healthcare Workers

The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has strongly criticised the Irfaan Ali government’s position on the ongoing issue of Cuban healthcare workers in the Caribbean, specifically their continued presence in Guyana. The party has expressed its opposition to the United States’ efforts to penalise Caribbean nations, including Guyana, for accepting Cuban health professionals, urging the country to align more closely with regional solidarity rather than internal political opportunism.

The issue at hand stems from the Donald Trump government’s attempts to apply pressure on Caribbean countries to expel Cuban healthcare workers as part of its broader effort to isolate Cuba diplomatically. These workers have been providing invaluable medical assistance to countries across the region, particularly in areas of health where local capacity has been strained.

The WPA is adamant that the Caribbean should not be dragged into the political conflict between the U.S. and Cuba, emphasising that the Cuban contributions to regional healthcare are immeasurable and extend far beyond political ideology.

The relationship between Guyana and Cuba dates back to the era of the Forbes Burnham government in the 1970s when Guyana established strong ties with Cuba. Guyana and Cuba established diplomatic relations on December 8, 1972. Burnham, who was Prime Minister at the time, pursued a policy of non-alignment and sought to build alliances with socialist countries, including Cuba. Over the decades, this relationship has blossomed into a mutually beneficial partnership, particularly in the area of healthcare. Cuba has long provided doctors, nurses, and healthcare specialists to Guyana, helping to fill critical gaps in the country’s healthcare system.

For decades, Cuban doctors have worked across Guyana, particularly in underserved regions, providing life-saving medical care where local resources have been insufficient. The Cuban government’s commitment to medical diplomacy has helped improve healthcare accessibility and quality, especially in remote and rural parts of the country. The WPA notes that Guyana, more than many other Caribbean nations, has directly benefited from Cuban medical support and that removing these workers would severely undermine the national healthcare system.

In its press statement, the WPA expressed its support for the CARICOM initiative, calling for a fair resolution to the issue that recognizes the longstanding partnership between Cuba and the Caribbean. The party also commended the Prime Ministers of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines for their principled stance on the matter, standing firm against U.S. pressure to expel Cuban healthcare workers.

However, the WPA expressed disappointment in the Guyana government’s response. The WPA accused the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government of prioritising its internal political survival over national interests. “The PPP should be more forthright on this matter,” the WPA said in its statement, accusing the government of political opportunism. The WPA further suggested that no government truly representing the broad national sentiments of its people would adopt such an unprincipled position.

In contrast, the WPA called for a unified regional approach to counter the U.S. pressure, arguing that the Caribbean should advocate for the continued presence of Cuban healthcare workers, not only for humanitarian reasons but also as a testament to the enduring spirit of regional solidarity.

“The Caribbean-Cuban relationship is not merely ideological; it is rooted in mutual respect and shared values,” the WPA concluded. The party warned if the Cuban workers are expelled, the Caribbean healthcare system—particularly in Guyana—would suffer immeasurable consequences.