BARBADOS Observes First CARICOM-Cuba Day Against Terrorism

BRIDGETOWN,  Barbados, October 6, 2023 - There was a call for unity, peace and speaking out against acts of terrorism by all those who observed the 47th Anniversary of the Cubana Airline Disaster and the first CARICOM-CUBA Day Against Terrorism.

At the commemoration ceremony held at the Cubana Monument, Paynes Bay, St. James, this morning, Ambassador of Barbados to CARICOM, David Comissiong, highlighted that on this date, October 6, Barbados and Cuba usually acknowledge the terrorist bombing of Cubana de Aviacíon flight 455, where 73 passengers, including crew, lost their lives.

Ambassador Comissiong noted: “Each year, we come to this ceremony with feelings and emotions of sadness, solemnity, and anger; anger at the tragic and senseless loss of precious lives.  But this year, we come with yet another emotion added to that complex of sadness, solemnity, and anger.

“We come with a feeling of pride; pride that on the sixth of December 2022, Heads of Government of Cuba and of our Caribbean Community exhibited an exemplary sense of responsibility and further dignified the sixth of October by designating it CARICOM-CUBA Day Against Terrorism.”

Ambassador Comissiong also made a call for the end of the United States of America’s embargo against Cuba. “On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, and indeed on behalf of the entire Caribbean Community demand that the Government of the United States of America terminate its illegal blockade of Cuba and remove Cuba from the US State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism…. “

Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Barbados, Yanet Stable Cárdenas; Consul General to Barbados, Geneva Ross-Tyndall; and CARICOM’s Director of External Trade, Dr. Chantal Ononaiwu, commended the Caribbean Heads of Government for designating October 6 as CARICOM-CUBA Day Against Terrorism.

They noted that to sustain, develop and secure the future of our countries, intra-regional collaboration is not just a necessity but a duty, and called for continuous commitment to peace and solidarity among the Caribbean Community. 

In addition to laying wreaths, the ceremony included a poem recited in both Spanish and English by two students of the Ellerslie Secondary School, and the song ‘Love Changes Everything’ was performed by students from the St. Leonard’s Boys’ School Choir.  Baba John Tifase Howell also performed an invocation and libation.

It is expected that on CARICOM-CUBA Day Against Terrorism, CARICOM Member States would engage in activities that speak against terrorism and demonstrate determination to preserve the Caribbean as a “zone of peace”.

Barbados established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cuba on December 8, 1972.