BBC panel puts Govt. on the spot

Mar 12, 2026 News

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…as Guyana, Cuba relations questioned 

(Kaieteur News) – Questions on Guyana’s foreign policy related to Cuba were on Tuesday left unanswered as Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh sought to downplay statements made by President Irfaan Ali recently during an interview aired by Fox News.

During that interview, the head of state said he believes that Cuba’s status quo must be changed but that change must occur gradually and through dialogue.

During a BBC World Questions programme held in Georgetown at the Pegasus Corporate Suites, Dr. Singh was pointed asked whether Guyana traded its longstanding-relationship with Cuba in favour of the United States?

The question originated from a member of the audience and put to panelists that included Dr. Singh, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, businessman and Private Sector Commission Secretary Clinton Urling, and businesswoman and activist Ayodele Dalgety-Dean.

BBC correspondent Jonny Dymond cited the recent comments made by President Irfaan Ali on Cuba’s status quo.

Dymond also questioned whether Guyana has separated itself from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which is generally seen as more sympathetic towards Cuba. The BBC journalist posited that the government’s position toward Cuba is being seen by some as ungrateful, given its decades-long relationship with the Spanish-speaking country.

Dr. Singh, who was the first panelist to respond, rejected the suggestion that Guyana has separated itself from CARICOM on the Cuba matter. “President Ali’s call was for an improvement in the lives of the Cuban people,” the minister said, noting that in that regard Guyana remains aligned with the regional body.

Dymond pressed further, “He said the status quo cannot remain. The suggestion people have taken from that is that he supports the U.S. policy of regime change. Does he?”

In response, Dr. Singh said he was certain that President Ali made no reference to regime change.

Dymond quickly retorted, asking whether the Guyana government supports a regime change in Cuba.

“He [President Ali] spoke of the status quo and, in particular, improvements in circumstances of the lives of the human beings. I think the President was very clear about it,” Dr. Singh said.

Similarly, PSC Secretary, Urling agreed with the minister’s position. “I think our president has very expertly managed that situation. And for a country, a small country like Guyana, we have to be very pragmatic in terms of our foreign relations and how we operate,” the businessman noted.

Urling further argued that states must prioritise their own interests while maintaining diplomatic ties. “I think states have to support themselves and their own considerations should come first. The way in which the government is operating, and they should operate; if I have to advise them, is to operate where you can still maintain relationships with all your partners. But then you have to take positions currently that benefits you in the short term because things can change in three years in the U.S. and then we have a flip side and then you have to keep adjusting our foreign policy,” he said.

However, opposition MP Sarabo-Halley said legislators are not being engaged in discussions on foreign policy matters.

“We have asked time and time again what is the foreign policy in relation to different issues that are happening around the world. And we, like everybody else, hear it on Fox News and I don’t think that is the best approach for any government,” she noted.

The parliamentarian said such issues require a national understanding so that citizens are aware of the government’s direction. On whether Guyana is failing to support Cuba despite the country’s long history of assistance, the MP said she had hoped the finance minister would have clarified Guyana’s position.

“And based on what he is saying to us, Guyana has not changed its position on Cuba,” she added.

However, Sarabo-Halley cautioned against Guyana appearing to favour one country over another. “But based on the perception of the population, it looks as though Guyana is choosing to push Cuba aside in the interest of the United States. If that is what Guyana is doing, I don’t think that would be right. I don’t think that would be the right approach. I think it has to be more tactical than that,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dalgety-Dean also expressed concern about the direction of the country’s foreign policy, while emphasising the importance of sovereignty for all countries.

“I can say I’m concerned about the way we are moving because Cuba has supported Guyana’s system,” she said noting that Cuba has long provided medical professionals to Guyana while also training Guyanese doctors.

“I do not think that is something we could give up…It is very new. I’m waiting to see what happens, but I do not believe that we should be given up on exceedingly low friendships, especially when they bring so much stability to our country,” she added.

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• BBC, BBC Questions, Dr. Ashni Singh, Guyana-Cuba, Panel

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