Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez (Right) laying a wreath at the moment, with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Jerome Walcott (left) and other supporters looking on.
It was October 6, 1976, when the citizens of Barbados and Cuba, stopped and recoiled in horror, at the terrorist bombing of Cubana Airlines flight 455 from Barbados to Jamaica. This tragic event took the lives of 73 passengers and crew, and left their friends and family to grieve over the lack of justice which was never served in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Jerome Walcott, along with Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez, took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the monument dedicated to the victims of the Cubana Airline disaster located in Payne’s Bay, St. James.
Senator Walcott was adamant about the importance of remembering the tragedy; not only to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, but to also use the opportunity to fight for peace around the globe.
“The monument at which we are gathered today was erected by the Government of Barbados as a simple but eloquent tribute to the memory of the victims of the Cubana crash. We come together annually to honour these victims whose names are carved into the monument and denounce this senseless act of terrorism. It is therefore imperative that the pursuit of international peace and security be of paramount importance to Barbados, Cuba and all peace-loving nations. Terrorism constitutes a major threat to the peace and security of the hemisphere and must be condemned in all its forms.”
Minister Rodriguez also mirrored the remarks made by Senator Walcott, stressing the importance of the Caribbean community being united as one against this and similar acts to terrorise its people. Justice for the victims was never fully realised to this day, but for the Minister, it is still of the utmost importance that we in the Caribbean stand firm against such violence.
“The masterminds behind this attack, who were true assassins and terrorists, lived peacefully in Miami until they died without facing the punishment they deserved according to the law and the seriousness of the crime they had committed. The monument that has been erected here is a proud remembrance of the victims of this abhorrent crime. It is also an expression of the sorrow shared by our Caribbean brothers and sisters who were also victims of the abominable attack,” Minister Rodriguez said.
After these brief remarks, both ministers laid wreaths on the monument with members of the Caribbean communities, diplomatic corps and families of the victims also gathering to pay their respects.
