A coalition of 146 Guyanese organizations and prominent individuals delivered a forceful petition to President Irfaan Ali and Foreign Minister Hugh Todd on Thursday, demanding immediate action against United States policies targeting Cuba. The petition specifically calls for Guyana to condemn the U.S. fuel embargo against Cuba and reverse its decision to terminate the nearly 50-year-old Cuban Medical Brigade program.
The document, endorsed by 11 organizations and 135 citizens, characterizes the U.S. fuel restrictions as ‘immoral, illegal and barbaric,’ warning they constitute a ‘man-made humanitarian crisis’ approaching genocide. Signatories argue that preventing Cuba from accessing petroleum products cripples essential services including medical care, food production, electricity generation, and water systems.
Beyond medical cooperation, petitioners urged resistance to U.S. pressure to end scholarship programs enabling Guyanese students—currently 45—to pursue medical studies in Cuba. They framed Cuba’s punishment as retaliation for exercising sovereignty and self-determination, noting the country poses no threat to the United States or other nations.
Gerald Perreira, leader of the Organisation of Victory of the People party who delivered the petition, questioned U.S. reliability as an ally during subsequent remarks. He referenced historical context where the U.S. allegedly encouraged Venezuelan aggression against Guyana during the Burnham administration, contrasting it with current geopolitical alignments. Perreira expressed skepticism about Venezuelan invasion capabilities due to military hardware deterioration from embargoes and challenging border terrain.
The petition concludes with a challenge to Guyana’s sovereignty claims, stating: ‘If Guyana is a sovereign and independent nation, as is so often claimed by our Government, then there can be no rationale for joining this shameful and barbaric attempt to destroy Cuba.’ Signatories included late former WPA co-leader Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine among other notable figures.