It may be difficult for some to see and accept, but I assure you that President Dr. Irfaan Ali did the right thing and uttered the right words.
In the practice of statecraft, the mark of a wise leader is not merely ideological consistency, but the ability to navigate complex geopolitical realities while safeguarding the national interest.
Those who are attuned to both local and international politics would have seen and heard the President’s recent comments regarding Cuba. I dare say that his remarks must be understood within the broader context of shifting hemispheric politics, evolving security threats, and the strategic imperatives confronting our country as a small state in a volatile region.
President Ali’s remarks, delivered during an international interview while attending the inaugural “Shield of the Americas” Summit in the United States, emphasized that “the status quo cannot remain” in Cuba and that any transition must ultimately lead to improved living conditions, democracy, and prosperity for the Cuban people.
This statement has drawn criticism from some observers who perceive it as a departure from the historically cordial relationship between Guyana and Cuba. Yet such critiques overlook the essential nature of diplomacy: the balancing of difficult decisions with principle and prudence.
For decades, Cuba has been a valued partner and friend to many Caribbean nations, including Guyana. Cuban medical brigades, technical assistance, and educational opportunities have contributed significantly to the development of several states in the region. Our country, like many of its CARICOM partners, recognizes and appreciates this legacy of friendship and solidarity.
However, international relations are not governed solely by historical gratitude; they are shaped by contemporary strategic realities.
Today, Guyana finds itself at the center of an evolving geopolitical landscape. The country is experiencing rapid economic transformation due to its emerging oil sector while simultaneously confronting persistent territorial claims from neighboring Venezuela over the resource-rich Essequibo region.
In this context, the support of major international partners particularly the United States has become critically important. Washington has repeatedly signaled that it would respond forcefully to any Venezuelan aggression against Guyana. For a small state facing a larger and historically assertive neighbor, such security assurances are not trivial diplomatic gestures; It is a big deal, they are matters of national survival.
Furthermore, regional dynamics have become even more fluid in recent months. The removal of Venezuela’s presidential leadership by U.S. forces and the subsequent disruption of the longstanding Caracas–Havana alliance have dramatically altered the political calculus across the Caribbean basin.
Cuba, long dependent on Venezuelan oil, now faces profound economic uncertainty, while Washington has intensified its rhetoric toward Havana. In such an environment, Caribbean leaders must tread carefully, balancing moral sympathy with pragmatic diplomacy.
President Ali’s comments should therefore be interpreted not as hostility toward Cuba, but as a carefully calibrated expression of diplomatic realism.
By intentionally emphasizing dialogue, incremental change, and improved living conditions for the Cuban people, he positioned Guyana within a framework that aligns with broader CARICOM discussions while maintaining constructive engagement with the United States. This approach reflects a recognition that Guyana’s prosperity and security depend on stable relationships with global powers, particularly at a moment when the hemisphere is undergoing significant political realignment.
Critics who demand a more confrontational stance misunderstand the responsibilities of good and prudent leadership. The question one must ask is: what would be gained if Guyana adopted a defiant posture toward the United States at a time when the country’s greatest external security threat Venezuela remains unresolved?
Diplomacy is not theater; it is the quiet art of advancing national interests without unnecessary confrontation. A small state must be especially adept at this art.
It is also worth acknowledging a difficult but equally important reality. While Cuba has historically supported many Caribbean nations, its response to the recent escalation of Venezuelan rhetoric against Guyana and its legal territory was largely muted. This silence is understandable, given the depth of Cuba’s economic reliance on Venezuela.
Yet it illustrates a broader truth about international relations: every nation ultimately prioritizes its own survival and strategic interests.
President Ali’s stance reflects this same logic. His responsibility is first and foremost to the people of Guyana, and we should all appreciate the prudence of his decision.
In an era when geopolitical tensions, energy politics, and regional security concerns intersect with unprecedented intensity, prudence becomes the highest form of patriotism.
Indeed, leadership sometimes requires making decisions that is unpopular, that will not please everyone. Yet history often vindicates those who exercise restraint, foresight, wisdom, and diplomatic skill.
President Ali’s approach demonstrates an understanding that Guyana’s future depends not on ideological rigidity but on strategic engagement with all partners old and new alike.
In this sense, the President is not abandoning friends, nor is he surrendering principles. Rather, he is practicing the timeless craft of diplomacy: speaking carefully, positioning strategically, and ensuring that Guyana navigates a turbulent geopolitical moment with wisdom and dignity.
Such leadership does not merely respond to the present; it prepares a nation for the future.
Yours respectfully,
Jermaine Figueira
Former Member of Parliament
