The President of the Guyana-Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM), Halim Khan, has condemned the ongoing U.S. embargo on Cuba, citing the devastating effects it has had on the Cuban people, particularly in light of recent total blackouts that have crippled the nation. The blackout, which left the entire island without electricity since Friday, has severely disrupted communications, hospital operations, transportation, and other vital services.

Khan stressed that the blackout is not just a technical failure but a result of the long-standing U.S. embargo on Cuba, which continues to cripple the country’s economy. “The U.S. embargo on Cuba is a criminal policy of suffocation. It has caused billions of dollars in damages and subjected the Cuban people to unimaginable hardship,” Khan said. “This is not just about the failure of the electrical system; it is about the deliberate destruction of a nation’s infrastructure through economic warfare.”

The Cuban government has reported that between March 2023 and February 2024, the U.S. embargo inflicted over $5 billion in economic damage. This figure is part of the country’s annual report on the embargo, which will be presented to the United Nations General Assembly later this month. The report highlights the immense financial strain the sanctions have placed on Cuba, further complicating efforts to restore normalcy following the recent blackout.

Halim Khan echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the broader impacts of the embargo: “It’s not permissible or ethical for a small country like Cuba to be subjected to such immense economic damage. The Cuban people are suffering under a blockade that has lasted for decades, while the U.S. turns a blind eye to the human rights violations it is causing.”

Adding to the crisis, Cuba is now facing the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar, which hit the eastern part of the island, complicating recovery efforts. Cuban Minister of Mines and Energy, Vicente de la O Levy, reported that the government has begun restoring electricity in some regions, but the process is slow due to the need to prevent overloading the fragile system.

The GCSM President also drew attention to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, condemning the ongoing genocide and military occupation. “The world must unite to lift the embargo on Cuba and demand a ceasefire in Palestine. The U.S. has the power to stop the bloodshed, but it continues to supply bombs and military aid,” Khan stated, urging immediate international intervention.

As Cuba battles to restore its electricity grid, the U.S. embargo remains a central issue in its struggle for economic survival. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez is expected to present further details of the embargo’s devastating impact during a press conference later this week.

Khan concluded with a passionate plea for global solidarity: “Cuba has resisted for more than sixty years, but they should not have to endure this suffering any longer. It is time for the international community to stand up against the embargo and support the Cuban people in their fight for dignity, justice, and basic human rights.”

He added that Guyana has benefitted from its longstanding relationship with Cuba in several key areas, particularly in healthcare, education, and regional diplomacy.