A call for mutual respect, unity, and peace in the fight against terrorism was echoed by speakers yesterday at the commemorative ceremony for the 48th Cubana Airline bombing of Cubana de Aviación flight 455.
Those speaking at the ceremony were acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Sandra Husbands; Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, David Comissiong; Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Barbados, Yanet Stable Cárdenas; Consul General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to Barbados, Geneva Ross-Tyndall; and Assistant Secretary General CARICOM Single Market and Trade, Ambassador Wayne McCook.
Minister Husbands gave Barbados’ commitment to peace as she denounced terrorism in all its forms.
“Although almost five decades have passed, the sadness and outrage caused by that tragedy still pervades our consciousness, but those sentiments have also made us determined to denounce terrorism in all of its forms by whomsoever it is perpetrated. For us, there is no small or large act of terrorism, and there are no lives whose loss should go unnoticed or disregarded.
“As we remember their families and the nations from which they came, let us maintain our resolve to strengthen the fraternal relationship between Barbados CARICOM and the Republic of Cuba, and together with like-minded nations and peoples, let us continue to fight against the scourge of terrorism in all of its manifestations, whatever, its source, and wherever it occurs,” Minister Husbands emphasised.
Consul General Ross-Tyndall, who expressed similar sentiments, said: “This occasion serves as a powerful reminder of how swiftly peace can be shattered, yet it also ignites within us a renewed determination to take decisive actions that will safeguard our region and ensure the Caribbean remains a sanctuary of peace….
“Our work at every level must uplift the dignity and rights of every individual to create a just, equitable, and peaceful world. Agreeably, through solidarity, vigilance, and open dialogue, we can confront this global threat and work towards a safer future for all. Let us continue to advocate for a world where compassion for humanity triumphs over cruelty and violence.”
In addition to the calls for peace and unity, Ambassador Comissiong pleaded for the United States of America’s State Department to remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and to terminate its 62-year-old embargo.
The ceremony also marked the second CARICOM-Cuba Day Against Terrorism, which was designated by the Heads of Government of CARICOM and Cuba at the Eighth CARICOM-Cuba Summit held in December 2022.
Ambassador Cárdenas noted that the designation signalled the commitment of member states to maintain peace among Caribbean people as they worked together towards a united future that benefits the development of its people.
The ceremony also included performances by spoken word poet Cindy Celeste, singer Marissa Lindsay, and the Haynesville Youth Group. It concluded with the laying of wreaths in remembrance of the 73 victims, including 57 Cubans, 11 Guyanese and five North Koreans, who perished on that day.