Cuba has been under economic blockade for more than 60 years, a blockade which has now been intensified to the point of strangling the entire Cuban population, causing unbearable suffering and death. Despite years of hardship and arrested development as a result of this immoral and illegal blockade, the Cuban people have been there for us in Guyana and for people all over the world in their time of need. Their sacrifice and love for humanity has restored human dignity and hope for a world governed by compassion and cooperation. It is now time for us to stand with Cuba.
Our people-to-people initiative is called ‘A Container of Love from the People of Guyana to the People of Cuba’. Organized by a broad-based coalition of concerned citizens, organizations and religious leaders from the Christian, Muslim and Hindu communities, we are aiming to fill a 20 ft container with necessities to be distributed to the neediest sections of Cuba’s population. We are asking for donations of foodstuffs such as powdered milk, beans, canned foods, flour, rice, cooking oil and other non-perishable items, medicines including pain relievers vitamins/pre-natal vitamins and pediatric medicines, diapers for adults, babies and toddlers, soap, sanitary napkins, toothpaste, cleaning supplies, solar panels, solar lanterns, portable solar generators, solar powered torchlight, batteries, school supplies, new clothing and footwear. For a full list of items needed see the attached flyer.
As you are aware, the 60 plus years blockade on this sister nation has been intensified since January 30th, 2026, to include a complete fuel embargo. This is preventing Cuba from receiving vital petroleum products necessary for the functioning of their society, including the provision of life-saving medical services, food production and distribution, provision of electricity, functioning of water systems, transportation and vital revenue-generating industries such as tourism. The embargo includes cooking gas, causing severe difficulties in daily life. Cubans have had to cook with charcoal and wood fires, with no refrigeration to store food since January 30th, and with no end in sight.
The United Nations warns that this type of collective punishment of an entire population contravenes international law and that Cuba is fast approaching “humanitarian collapse”. The US-imposed fuel blockade has closed schools, grounded aircraft, 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 to perform life-saving surgeries and other medical procedures, and unable to conduct basic scans such as x rays or ultrasounds. Ambulances are also out of action and many people in urgent need of treatment are unable to get to the hospital due to no other form of transport being available. In March, the national electric grid collapsed, resulting in prolonged blackouts lasting over 40 hours in many areas. The fuel blockade has been described as an act of genocide. Recently Guyanese experienced a fuel shortage for a day, and there was panic, imagine no fuel or cooking gas since January 30th.
We don’t need to remind you of all the sacrifice, good work, and the thousands of lives saved by the Cuban Medical Brigade during the last 48 years that they have operated in Guyana, often serving in hinterland areas where Guyanese doctors were unwilling to work.
We want to thank the media for your coverage of our recent solidarity events. Your coverage of this initiative will help this call to reach people far and wide. Drop-off points have been set up across the city of Georgetown in churches, mosques and the Hare Krishna Study Centre – for a full list of drop off points see attached flyer. We are counting on you and your media networks to reach Guyanese across the country to encourage as many people as possible to send donations. We aim to ship the container in approximately 8 weeks and are depending on the generosity and support of the Guyanese people to fill the Container of Love.
Reverend Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, General Secretary of the Guyana Presbyterian Church, sums up the initiative, “Our call is grounded not in ideology, but in humanity. Every child deserves nourishment, every elder deserves care, and every family deserves to live with dignity and peace. Across the Caribbean, we understand the painful legacies of colonialism, exclusion, and economic injustice. Therefore, we cannot turn away from the cries of our Cuban sisters and brothers. This is a moment for moral courage and compassionate action. We call on governments, faith communities, civil society, and people of conscience everywhere to stand with the people of Cuba in their time of need through advocacy, humanitarian support and solidarity.”
Imam Haseeb Yusuf of the Eccles Sunnatul Jamaat called on Guyanese to donate generously: “In a world of great social upheaval and injustice, the global citizenship of conscience and humanity is called upon to respond to the desperate cries of oppressed people worldwide. Out of our shared humanity, empathy, and instincts to work together, we find hope and courage to do whatever is within our means to come to the aid of the most vulnerable. We are appealing to the people of Guyana to help our Cuban brothers and sisters, who are living through a very severe humanitarian crisis. Please donate generously to this noble cause.”
For further comments please contact:
Reverend Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, General Secretary of Guyana Presbyterian Church – 647 7295
Reverend Francis Dean Alleyne, Roman Catholic Bishop of Georgetown – 614 2670
Imam Haseeb Yusuf of the Eccles Sunnatul Jamaat – 620 6880
Prabhu Dave, President of the ISKCON of Guyana Hare Krishna Study Centre – 621 1498
Maryam Perreira – Project Coordinator – 748 1660
