By Mark DaCosta- In a show of solidarity, more than 146 organisations and individuals have called on the Guyanese government to denounce the United States’ fuel embargo on Cuba and reinstate the Cuban Medical Brigade, which has provided medical assistance to Guyana for nearly five decades. The Irfaan Ali administration last month terminated the Cuba–Guyana medical arrangement, a move analysts say came amid pressure from the United States.
The petition urges the government led by President Irfaan Ali to reject US-imposed restrictions that could disrupt the services of the Cuban Medical Brigade. Petitioners argue that the sanctions threaten critical healthcare support and could worsen humanitarian conditions in Cuba. The signatories say Guyana should take a principled stand in support of its Caribbean neighbour and defend the long-standing partnership between the two nations.
The United States has warned of potential visa sanctions against individuals linked to the Cuban Medical Brigade, raising allegations of human trafficking. However, petitioners have dismissed the claims as politically motivated and maintain that Cuba has the sovereign right to provide medical assistance abroad. They argue that limiting access to vital resources, including fuel, undermines essential services and threatens the wellbeing of vulnerable populations.
Those backing the petition say Guyana should reaffirm its support for the Cuban medical mission and ensure the brigade can continue its work locally. The signatories include representatives from several organisations as well as prominent public figures who believe the relationship between Guyana and Cuba has been vital to strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
Guyana’s cooperation with Cuba dates back decades and has played an important role in addressing healthcare shortages. The partnership began after Guyana and other Caribbean nations established diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1972. By the late 1970s, Guyanese students began travelling to Cuba to pursue medical training, creating a pipeline of healthcare professionals who later returned to serve locally.
Over the years, Cuban medical personnel have supported health services across Guyana, particularly in rural and hinterland communities where staffing shortages have long been a challenge. Their presence has helped expand access to medical care and improve service delivery in several areas of the country.
A major milestone in the relationship came in 2006 with the launch of “Operation Miracle,” a programme designed to restore sight to thousands of patients through free eye surgeries. The initiative significantly improved access to specialised treatment for many Guyanese who previously could not afford such procedures.
The collaboration also led to the establishment of Diagnostic and Treatment Centres across the country, staffed in part by Cuban doctors and technicians. These facilities provided services that were previously unavailable to many communities and strengthened the overall healthcare infrastructure.
Supporters of the petition argue that these initiatives demonstrate the importance of maintaining strong ties with Cuba. They say the continued education of Guyanese students in Cuban medical schools and the presence of Cuban healthcare workers remain essential to the country’s health sector.
Petitioners also contend that Guyana should resist external pressure that could weaken its independent foreign policy. According to the signatories, the country must uphold its sovereignty and maintain relationships that benefit its people.
They argue that the long-standing partnership with Cuba reflects a tradition of regional cooperation and mutual support, and that Guyana should continue to defend that relationship despite geopolitical tensions.
The petition concludes by urging the government to stand firmly against measures that threaten the Cuban medical mission and to ensure that Guyana continues to benefit from the collaboration that has supported its healthcare system for decades.
