Dear Editor
The letter, signed by well over 100 Guyanese organizations and individuals, calls on President Ali and the Government of Guyana to reverse their decision to terminate the invaluable services provided by the Cuban Medical Brigade and to have them return to Guyana immediately, and for the Government of Guyana to resist the pressure being exerted on them by the US to end the scholarship program that enables our citizens to pursue studies in Cuba, especially in the area of medicine. In a recent press release issued by the US Embassy in Guyana, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio “expressed appreciation for Guyana’s decision to end its participation in the Cuban regime’s medical mission forced labour scheme”.
This is shameful since President Ali and the PPP government know full well that US accusations that the Cuban Medical Brigades are in any way associated with “forced labour” has no basis in reality. In fact, on December 8, 2002, at the Summit for Heads of State and Government on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations among Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Cuba, in an address to President Fidel Castro and all the Caribbean Heads of State and dignitaries present, Bharrat Jagdeo, then President of Guyana and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said:
“…Cuba is a neighbour, a true friend and a brother. We have admired your courage and that of the Cuban people in the face of great adversity as you work to build a better society…
Today we note with satisfaction the unrivalled mutual benefits that have flowed to our countries and peoples…in many areas of human endeavour, Cuba has been unstinting in making available and transferring its technological insights and scientific discoveries to our developing economies and to the benefit of our peoples…phenomenal improvements have occurred in the health care of the
peoples of the Caribbean since our independence. We acknowledge that Cuba, with no comparable equal, deserves credit for helping to catapult forward our health systems through a constant inflow of competent Cuban health
professionals, and additionally through the provision of generous scholarship programmes for CARICOM nationals to the now-renowned educational
institutions of your country. I offer the sincere gratitude of the Caribbean
people…
It is our realistic expectation that a way will be found for the normalisation of US/Cuba relations. That long-awaited act will mend the last issue of
fragmentation in our hemisphere. The United States of America is a
powerful and dynamic nation. The Republic of Cuba has, within its
capability, made enduring contributions to our Region and the world. The
trade embargo imposed by the US is anachronistic in this era of
globalisation and trade liberalisation and should be removed. Ways must
be found for the two countries to work together to normalise their relations for the benefit of the peoples of both countries. The Caribbean
Community will continue to urge the normalisation of Cuba/US
relations…The Caribbean Community applauds the fortitude of Cuba and
is impressed by the adaptive measures being adopted to ensure the
continued progress of the Cuban people. We declare our commitment and
pledge our support to the continued fraternal and harmonious relations
between Cuba and the Caribbean Community.”
Delivery of this letter is timely since President Ali will meet with President Trump in Miami on March 7th, 2026.
As stated in the letter, the current fuel embargo imposed by the Trump Administration on our Caribbean sister-nation, Cuba, is immoral, illegal and barbaric. Preventing Cuba from receiving petroleum products necessary for the functioning of their society and the provision of vital services, including life-saving medical services, food production and distribution, provision of electricity, functioning of water systems, transportation, vital revenue-generating industries such as tourism, amounts to an act of genocide.
The United Nations warns that Cuba is fast approaching “humanitarian collapse”. The UN-imposed fuel blockade has closed schools, grounded aircraft, left homes without electricity for twenty hours
a day, and left garbage rotting in Havana’s streets. Cuba is struggling to keep its hospitals operational. Healthcare professionals are reporting that they are unable to keep the lights on, and doctors cannot perform basic scans such as X-rays or ultrasounds. Ambulances are also out of action due to the fuel shortage.
For further information, contact +592 748 1660
Yours truly
Concern Guyanese
