Guyana contributing rice to Cuba’s relief effort

Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, 22:26 by Writer

President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday said Guyana would be sending a huge consignment of rice to Cuba as part of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) humanitarian relief effort.

“We’re part of this effort, we have always been, and we’re committed to have rice supplied,” he told Demerara Waves Online News.

He said Guyana would be sending an estimated 300 tonnes of rice to Mexico for onward shipment to Cuba which has been battling widespread fuel shortage, power outages and other related disruption. Those are as a result of a tightened United States (US) embargo especially on fuel since the removal of Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro from office on January 3.

A senior official familiar with the “voluntary” cash donations being piped to the CARICOM Secretariat told Demerara Waves Online News that hefty amounts of cash were being provided. “I know of some member states’ contributions at USD500,000 and others above that,” the official said, adding that the first shipment of relief supplies would leave Mexico very shortly after finalising logistics.

Asked why Guyana did not opt to send cash to the CARICOM Secretariat, which is responsible for pooling funds to send to Mexico to buy and ship the items on behalf of the regional bloc, Dr Ali said, “I don’t see the difference between cash” and sending the grain.

The President said rice would not be the only form of support.

He said Guyana would be in contact with the CARICOM Secretariat to work out arrangements for transporting the rice to Cuba.

CARICOM said items to be purchased in Mexico from suppliers there would include powdered milk, including baby formula; non-perishables such as beans, wheat flour, rice, and canned goods; basic medical supplies, solar panels, batteries, and water tanks.