Embassy of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Cuba

EMBASSY OF GUYANA IN CUBA COMMEMORATES 49TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TERRORIST BOMBING OF CUBANA FLIGHT 455 AND CARICOM-Cuba Day Against Terrorism

October 7, 2025

The Embassy of Guyana in Cuba held two events last Friday, October 3, to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the terrorist bombing of Cubana flight 455 over Barbadian territorial waters in which 73 passengers and crew were cold bloodedly murdered on October 6, 1976.

Among the 73 were 11 Guyanese, including the first batch of medical students, 5 North Koreans, and 57 Cubans, including the country’s Fencing Team.

The first was a Wreath Laying Ceremony and Roll Call of the Victims at the Colon Cemetery in Vedado, Havana. Apart from the Prayers for the Deceased led by Pastor Dayan Monier, there were moving tributes from His Excellency, Glen Noel, Ambassador of Grenada to Cuba, and His Excellency, Halim Majeed, Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba.

The second Ceremony was held at the Headquarters of ICAP, the International Friendship Organization of Cuba, where a special Program was organized by the Guyana Embassy. Speakers at that ceremony were His Excellency, Fernando Gonzalez Llort, President of ICAP and Hero of the Cuban Revolution, Her Excellency, Dr. Sharon Marshall, Ambassador of Barbados to Cuba, and His Excellency, Ian Douglas, Ambassador of Dominica to Cuba.

The main tribute was delivered by Ambassador Majeed.

The ICAP commemoration ceremony, punctuated by solemn music by the renowned Cuban saxophonist, Ms. Claudia Iglesias, recalled the words of His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, at a similar event in Barbados on the occasion of the CARICOM-CUBA Summit in 2022:
“The 1976 terrorist attack on Cubana Flight 455 from Barbados to Jamaica, which killed 73 people, including 11 Guyanese, must further strengthen the resolve of the Caribbean to remain a Zone of Peace that is free from all forms of terrorism, proxy wars and external threats.”

Yesterday, October 6, CARICOM-CUBA Day Against International Terrorism, a Wreath was laid at the Cubana Monument located in the Compound of the Guyana Embassy.

Attending the events were members of the Diplomatic Corps, officials from ICAP, high ranking members of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), Guyanese students in Havana, staff members of the Guyana Embassy, and Special Invitees.

In the first two photographs, are members of the Cuban Military Ceremonial Contingent, engaged in the Wreath Laying Ceremony, and in the third photograph are the Commander and Deputy Commander of the Ceremonial Contingent with Ambassador Majeed.

In the fourth photograph is Comandante Victor Dreke and Ambassador Majeed in front of the two tombs (No. 38 & No. 40) of the deceased. And in the fifth photograph are some of the Guyanese students at the Memorial Ceremony.

In the sixth photograph Ms. Claudia Iglesias is playing Amazing Grace on the saxophone, and in the last photograph is Hero of the Cuban Revolution and President of ICAP, Fernando Gonzalez Llort speaking at the ICAP Ceremony.

CUBAN PRESIDENT MIGUEL DIAZ CANEL EXTENDS CONGRATULATIONS TO GUYANESE PRESIDENT IRFAN ALI ON HIS RE-ELECTION TO THE PRESIDENCY OF GUYANA

September 11, 2025

His Excellency, the President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, has extended his "cordial congratulations" to His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali, Executive President of Guyana, on his re-elections to he Presidency of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

In his official Message, dated September 7, 2025, to President Ali, President Diaz-Canel wished him all "success in your new term." The Cuban President pointed out that President Ali's re-election presented "an opportune occasion to reiterate my willingness to continue strengthening the relations of friendship and cooperation between our sister nations."

Since his re-election, President Ali has been receiving congratulatory messages from the Caribbean Region and from the wider international community. The Presidential Inauguration took place at State House, Georgetown, on September 7, 2025.

FIVE MORE CUBAN-TRAINED GUYANESE MEDICAL DOCTORS TO JOIN THE NATION’S RAPIDLY EXPANDING HEALTH SECTOR

August 12, 2025

As Guyana’s Health Sector continues to expand rapidly, demanding qualified medical personnel to serve the national needs, five more Guyanese medical doctors have recently graduated from the University of Medical Sciences of Havana and will be returning home to join the Ministry of Health.

They are Dr. Savanna Sumintra Pearson, Dr. Ronichia Schwiers, Dr. Christopher Lakish, Dr. Renecia Mickle, and Dr. Alexander Giddel Isaacs.

Dr. Pearson, who graduated with Distinction (Titulo de Oro), hails from Region 4, and arrived in Cuba on a Government of Guyana scholarship in 2018, where she was placed at the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM). She led an active student life winning two awards, the Premio Destacado, and the Premio Mencion. She also served as Vice-Secretary of the Student Association and a Member of the Board of Examiners on Humanistic and Social Sciences at the Scientific Student Day.

Dr. Schwiers, who also graduated with Distinction (Titulo de Oro), began her journey in Cuba in 2018. Hard work, burning the midnight oil and focused on success in the midst of Covid-19, paid great dividends. Studying in Cuba gave her the privilege of making many new friends from around the world, building unbreakable bonds with others, and learning about different cultures.

Dr. Lakish comes from Region Three and was raised as a staunch Christian. Educated at St. Andrews Primary School, Parfaite Harmony Primary School, Patentia Secondary School, the Allicock’s Education & Research Centre, and subsequently, at St. Stanislaus College, he developed a clear sense of purpose to pursue a medical career. At ELAM and the University of Medical Sciences of Havana, he worked diligently with one goal in mind – to secure his degree in medicine.

Dr. Lakish aspires to specialize in Neurosurgery and to contribute meaningfully to that field of medicine under the mentorship of the well-known Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi, and Dr. Asif Subhan, who are currently leading the advancement of Neurosurgery in Guyana.

Dr. Mickle hails from Region Six, New Amsterdam. She is a Bishop’s ‘Old Girl” who secured a Government of Guyana scholarship in 2018 to study medicine in Cuba. At ELAM, where she started her pre-med studies, apart from working on becoming proficient at Spanish, she served as the President of the Student Group and represented Guyanese students at many official events.

Dr. Isaacs grew up in a Christian household in South Ruimveldt where Christian morals and values were imparted to him from a young age. He attained his Primary Education at the St. Margaret’s Primary School in Georgetown. After successfully completing the Secondary School Entrance Examinations in 2006, he attended Queen’s College, where he completed his Secondary Education in 2011. Thereafter, he successfully completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at the University of the Southern Caribbean in 2016.

In 2018, he was awarded a Government of Guyana scholarship to study Medicine in Cuba. After 7 long years in the midst of Covid-19, bouts of anxiety and a demanding work schedule, he finally graduated from the University of Medical Sciences of Havana.

Dr. Isaacs enjoys writing, public speaking, table tennis, learning new languages and spending time with family and friends. He is considering specialization in General Surgery in the future and looks forward to contributing to the development of the Health Sector of Guyana.

Last Friday, the Cuban-trained doctors visited the Guyana Embassy in Cuba where their academic documents were authenticated by Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, His Excellency Halim Majeed.

In the first photograph, from right to left are: Dr. Christopher Lakish, Dr. Savanna Pearson, Ambassador Majeed, Dr. Ronichia Schwiers, Dr. Renecia Mickle, and Dr. Alexander Isaacs.

In the second photograph are, from right to left: Ambassador Majeed, Dr. Pearson, Dr. Lakish, Dr. Schwiers, Dr. Isaacs, Dr. Mickle, and First Secretary at the Guyana Embassy, Mr. Quincy Younge.

GUYANESE CARDIOLOGIST AND ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGIST PARTICIPATES IN LATIN AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY 2025 CONFERENCE IN CUBA

May 14, 2025

Earlier this month, Dr. Suruj Harrichand, Guyanese Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, participated in the 2025 Latin American Society of Interventional Cardiology (SOLACI) Conference which was held in Havana, Cuba. Over two dozen professionals drawn from Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean took part in the Conference. Following his participation, he was selected as the first Guyanese to pursue an accredited Master’s Program in Interventional Cardiology commencing in September 2025, in Cuba.

Dr. Harrichand graduated from the University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara, Cuba, in 2022 where he completed a post-graduate degree in Clinical Cardiology. Immediately after that, he began to pursue an intensive program specializing in Clinical and Invasive Electrophysiology and Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices (pacemakers, ICDs, CRTs).

Returning to Guyana and re-joining the Ministry of Health in 2023, he has acquitted himself with excellence. Thus far, he has done 170 Pacemaker Implants, one Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, and 25 Electrophysiology Studies.

With Guyana opening several new hospitals during this year, along with four Catheterization Laboratories (Cat Labs), Dr. Harrichand believes that “this will greatly advance cardiac care in the country thereby bringing it to First World level of health care.” He noted that “at the Institute of Cardiology in Havana Cat Labs work 24/7 performing over 1,000 angiograms and stenting yearly, along with structural heart disease treatment.”

The Society of Interventional Cardiology was created to advance and promote cardiovascular interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean. It functions in 20 countries and has over 2,500 members. And it has forged strong alliances with the European Society of Cardiology, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, among others.

In the first photograph below, Dr. Harrichand (extreme right) is seen with colleagues at the Conference. In the second photograph he is at third fight in blue jeans with some of Cuba’s top Cardiologists.

Nuncio Apostolico Receives Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba at the Vatican Embassy in Havana

April 10, 2025

Last Friday, His Excellency, Monsignor Antione Camilleri, the Nuncio Apostolico resident in Cuba, received Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, His Excellency, Halim Majeed, at the Vatican Embassy in Havana where the two envoys exchanged views on a number of current issues.

The Nuncio Apostolico is the Personal Representative of the Pope and is obliged to report directly to him, apart from reporting to the Secretary of State of the Holy See.

During the exchange, Ambassador Majeed updated Monsignor Camilleri on the present status of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy with which the Papal Representative has great familiarity and, indeed, in-depth knowledge. Besides presenting him with recent documentation emanating from the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Majeed promised to transmit to him other relevant material on the subject.

He remarked that the border controversy is a matter that could disturb regional and international peace and that he would certainly revert to the Holy See on our discussions.
The Nuncio Apostolico also inquired about the "problematic" regarding Cuban medical professionals in Guyana. Ambassador Majeed explained that Guyana highly respects the solid contribution that Cuban doctors, nurses and other medical specialists are making to the Guyana Health Sector. In this regard, he referred to the public statement made by His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, who said that he “doesn’t see the possibility of abandoning Cuba on this issue.”

Ambassador Majeed also made mention of a media Statement issued by the Honorable Vice-President of Guyana, Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, in which he underscored the importance of Cuban medical professionals in the Guyana Healthcare Sector and noted that their presence has been invaluable for decades.

Before the meeting concluded, the two Heads of Mission exchanged views on the situation in Cuba and agreed to meet from time to time in pursuit of "our common objectives".

In the photograph below, Ambassador Majeed is seen with Monsignor Camilleri (right) at the Nunciatura Apostolica.

TWO MORE GUYANESE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE POST-GRADUATE STUDIES IN CUBA

April 1, 2025

Two more Guyanese medical specialists have completed their post-graduate specializations in Cuba, adding to the first specialist for this year, Dr. Cymoné Nedd, who is already back in Guyana and is attached to the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Vanessa Singh, a self-financing post-graduate student, qualified as a Radiologist at the University of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba in December last year and was deemed an outstanding student, scoring 100 per cent in the State Final Examinations in the second and third years of her program.

Dr. Singh first arrived in Cuba on a Government of Guyana scholarship in 2003 to pursue her undergraduate degree at the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) in Havana, and later at the University of Medical Sciences in the Province of Las Tunas, where graduated with the highly regarded Titulo de Oro (Distinction).

Returning to Guyana in 2009, Dr. Singh worked at the Mahaicony and Fort Wellington Hospitals, and was later responsible for the Primary Health Care Program on the East Coast of Demerara, and, subsequently, on the East Bank of Demerara.

At the University of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba where Dr. Singh studied for her post-graduate degree in Radiology, 2022-20024, her academic performance was outstanding. In this regard, the Cuban Society of Radiologists featured her on a special program to showcase her exceptionally high standard of work as a foreign student.

The other Cuban-trained specialist, Dr. Mallika Singh Gonzalez, has successfully completed a four-year post-graduate program in General Surgery and Breast Surgical Oncology in Havana, in addition to a number of other post-graduate medical diplomas earlier this year.

The Breast Surgery Oncology Program was done at the prestigious National Institute of Oncology and Radiology (INOR), and the General Surgery curriculum at both the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital and the Calixto Garcia Medical Institute, University of Medical Sciences of Havana.

Dr. Mallika Singh first arrived in Cuba in 2006 on a Government of Guyana scholarship to pursue studies leading to the MD Degree. She graduated in 2013 and returned to Guyana to join the Ministry of Health.

It is to be noted that for the year 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, some fifteen (15) medical doctors and highly trained medical specialists have been added to the repertoire of skilled personnel at the Guyana Ministry of Health.

In the first photograph below, Dr. Vanessa Singh is seen with Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, His Excellency, Halim Majeed.

In the second photograph, Dr. Mallika Singh Gonzalez is flanked by Ms. Mayte Perdomo, Confidential Secretary to Ambassador Majeed, and First Secretary at the Guyana Embassy, Mr. Quincy Younge.

ANOTHER GUYANESE MEDICAL STUDENT GRADUATES FROM CUBA – awarded the HONOR, titulo de oro

March 10, 2025

Late last month, Ms. Cymone Nedd, who hails from Eccles, East Bank Demerara, Guyana, graduated with the Titulo de Oro (Distinction) having completed her studies from the University of Medical Sciences of Havana. She will be returning to Guyana this week to join the Ministry of Health as Guyana's Health Sector continues to expand.

Dr. Nedd secured a Government of Guyana scholarship in 2017 and on arrival in Havana was assigned to the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM). At the end of her first two years of training, she was posted to the University of Medical Sciences of Havana, the Julio Trigo Lopez Faculty for the completion of her degree.

During her term at the University, she participated in various academic, scientific and cultural activities. Dr. Nedd also dedicated time to helping the English Department at the Faculty – and to teaching two relatively new sports, Ultimate Frisbee and Disc Golf, to young people of the neighboring communities.

Dr. Nedd has expressed her deep gratitude to the Government of Guyana for her medical scholarship, and to the Embassy of Guyana in Cuba for their consistent support.

In the photograph below Dr. Nedd (center) is seen with two Embassy staffers, Ms. Arlenys Ponce (right), and Ms. Melissa Camacho (left).

EMBASSY OF GUYANA IN CUBA OBSERVES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

March 7, 2025

The Guyana Embassy in Cuba is today observing International Women’s Day amidst a number of activities that are being held throughout the country. For example, in Havana, the Center for Studies for Psychology and Sociology (CIPS) is hosting the Cuban American Friendship Society from the United States, and the Missionaries in Cuba, together with the Religious Sisters from the Company of Mary, are taking part in several activities to highlight the importance of women in the Cuban society.

Earlier today, Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, H.E. Halim Majeed, spoke with the female staff of the Guyana Embassy and in a short Presentation traced the origins of International Women’s Day. He explained that the beginning of the 20th century saw a growing population, turmoil in the industrialized world, and the steady rise of the working class ideology.

In this context, the Ambassador pointed to the role of the famous German communist activist, Clara Zetkin, who served in the German Reichstag in 1920-1933, and who proposed the idea of International Women’s Day at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910. He noted that it took some time for International Women’s Day to be recognized by the United Nations officially – and in 1977 a Resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly that proclaimed a UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.

Addressing the male staff members of the Embassy, Ambassador Majeed echoed the words of Permanent Secretary of the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Elizabeth Harper, this morning when she said in a Post: “Gentlemen, your turn will come later.”

In the first photograph, are left to right: Melissa Camacho, Yezenia Perez, Silvia Bonet, Mayte Perdomo, Arlenys Ponce and Yanet Marti.

In the second photograph, they are seen toasting to the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on this special occasion.

AMBASSADOR OF KENYA PAYS OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE GUYANA EMBASSY IN CUBA

February 3, 2025

Early last week, Her Excellency, Everlyne Mwenda Karisa, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the Republic of Cuba, paid an official visit to the Embassy of Guyana in Cuba where she was received by H.E. Halim Majeed, Guyana’s Ambassador of Guyana to Cuba.

Ambassador Mwenda Karisa succeeded H.E. Gathoga Chege, who returned to Nairobi a few months ago.

The two Ambassadors reviewed the state of affairs between their countries and expressed satisfaction with the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, and His Excellency, William Ruto, President of Kenya, and the current state of bilateral relations.

In the course of their friendly and cordial exchange, Ambassador Mwenda Karisa mentioned the matter of pending Agreements between the two countries, and inquired about the outstanding issue regarding the status of the abolition of visas involving Guyana and Kenya.

Ambassador Majeed took time to explain to Ambassador Mwenda Karisa the recent bellicose outpourings that originated from the Venezuela Government with respect to the border controversy and presented her with copies of Statements emanating from the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemning Venezuela’s persistent attacks on Guyana.
The two Ambassadors agreed to meet again for further exchanges.

Accompanying Ambassador Majeed to the meeting was Mr. Quincy Younge, First Secretary at the Guyana Mission.

In the first photograph below, Ambassador Majeed is explaining an official correspondence dealing the border controversy that was transmitted to the UN Secretary General from the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the second photograph, Ambassador Mwenda Karisa (backing the camera) is being shown a map of Guyana and the part that is being illegally claimed by Venezuela.

GUYANESE STUDENTS AT MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF HAVANA PARTICIPATE IN "FAIR OF NATIONALITIES"

January 31, 2025

Several Guyanese students attached to the Medical University of Havana participated in the recently concluded ‘Fair of Nationalities’ which was aimed at exhibiting the cultural and national diversity of students on the University Campus. Over 6,000 foreign students are currently studying medicine, dentistry, health technology and nursing at that educational institution.

Lead organizer for the Guyanese students was Mr. Asaph Ahmad, (5th Year medical student at the Calixto Garcia Faculty), who was joined by Mr. Muhindra Soochit, and Carl Gilford (both 4th Year) and Mr. Keron Braithwaite, 5th Year medical student at the Enrique Cabrera Faculty.

Supported by the Guyana Embassy in Cuba, the students were able to put on display national symbols of Guyana, Amerindian artifacts, traditional foods including chicken curry and “parsad” (that is normally shared at the end of a Hindu ceremony), various products manufactured in Guyana – pepper sauce, meat masala, cassareep, limacol, ferrol compound, and Guyana Rums.

Attending the Fair, were the Rector of the University, Deans of the various Faculties of the University, Faculty Members of other universities, Members of the Accreditation Committee, Members of the Diplomatic Corps resident in Cuba, and a wide range of students, professors and lecturers.

In the first photograph below, Mr. Asaph Ahmad, lead organizer and coordinator, is seen in conversation with a number of interested participants.

In the second photograph are some of the items from Guyana on display.

In the third photograph are, from left to right, Keron Braithwaite, Asaph Ahmad, Muhindra Soochit, and Carl Gilford.

CUBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETS WITH GUYANA AMBASSADOR TO CUBA TO DEEPEN TRADE AND ECONOMIC TIES WITH GUYANA

January 30, 2025

Mr. Antonio Carricarte, President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, received Guyana Ambassador to Cuba, H.E. Halim Majeed, last Monday at the Chamber’s offices in Vedado, Havana, to review trade and economic matters between Guyana and Cuba.

The Chamber’s side comprised Ms. Giselle Sanchez Valdes, Mr. Pavel Morales Diaz, Ms. Isabel Cruz Melendez, Ms. Rosely Casuso Martin – and President Carricarte.

The Cuban Chamber President explained that Cuba is greatly impressed with Guyana’s economic development and that, given the abiding ties of cooperation between the two countries, the Chamber will visit Guyana soon - as a follow up to an Official Visit to Georgetown last year undertaken by a high-level Delegation, led by Ms. Deborah Rivas Saavedra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba.

He pointed out the need to update the MOUs between the Chamber and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), and observed that the updated documents will be executed during their visit to Guyana.

Mr. Carricarte noted that during last year several Cuban State companies and a number of Cuban private businesses visited Guyana and had already commenced commercial relations with their Guyana counterparts. This, he said, is likely to expand substantially in 2025.

He also praised the role of IPED in its collaboration with the Chamber in providing much needed training for Cuban small businesses, and assured the Guyana Ambassador that the cooperation will continue to expand.

Ambassador Majeed welcomed the various initiatives by Cuba and re-assured President Carricarte that he would strive diligently to ensure that Guyana-Cuba cooperation is safe and sound. He hoped that during this year the Exhibition of Cuban Products and Services would take place under the auspices of the Chamber and the Cuban Embassy in Guyana, with support from GMSA and GCCI.

Accompanying Ambassador Majeed to the meeting were Ms. Arlenys Ponce, Trade Attaché, and Mr. Quincy Younge, First Secretary at the Guyana Embassy.

In the photograph below are, from left to right: Ms. Giselle Sanchez, Mr. Pavel Morales, President Antonio Carricarte, Ambassador Halim Majeed, Ms. Isabel Cruz, Mr. Quincy Younge, and Ms. Rosely Casuso.

FORMER PRESIDENT OF GUYANA, DONALD RAMOTAR, IN CUBA TO PARTICIPATE IN 6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “FOR THE BALANCE OF THE WORLD”

January 30, 2025

Last Monday, former President of Guyana, H.E. Donald Ramotar, arrived in Havana to participate in the 6th International Conference “For the Balance of the World.” He was received by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) and senior officials of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC).

On Tuesday, he addressed the Conference which includes current and former Heads of State and Government, high ranking Government and Party officials from several countries, trade unionists, and Members of the Diplomatic Corps resident in Havana, among others. During his Presentation, he spoke about present trends in global affairs, the genocide in Palestine being perpetrated by the Israeli Defense Force, and the possible resolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, among other pressing international issues.

He stressed the need for unity and solidarity among the world's progressive forces.

Yesterday, H.E. Donald Ramotar met with His Excellency, Miguel Diaz-Canel, President of Cuba, and other Government and Party Representatives of Cuba, including the Honorable Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Foreign Minister and Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC.

The Conference which began on January 27 will conclude tomorrow, Friday, January 31. In the photograph below, H.E. Donald Ramotar (right) is seen with Cuban President, Miguel Diaz-Canel.