Article Image Alt Text

From left: Chargé d’affaires for the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Barbados, Álvaro Sánchez Cordero; Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Barbados, Sergio Jorge Pastrana and Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, David Comissiong, place a wreath on the Cubana Monument, in Paynes Bay, St. James yesterday. It has been 43 years since the terrorist attack on the Douglas DC-8 aircraft which killed 73 people, which included the 24 members of the Cuban National fencing team.

Revisit proposal

Call to support October 6 becoming UN Int’l Day Against Terrorism

Barbados’ Ambassador To CARICOM, David Comissiong is calling on the government to revisit a proposal to go to the United Nations to declare October 6 as UN International Day Against Terrorism.

This comment was made during the 43rd anniversary of the commemoration of the Cubana Airline tragedy at the Cubana Monument, Paynes Bay, St. James yesterday.

Comissiong said in 2016 while he was in the role of the Coordinator of the Caribbean Chapter Of The International Network in Defence Of Humanity, an effort was made with the families of the Cuban victims, representatives from Barbados.

Guyana and other countries to pass a resolution. The resolution called for a special international day against terrorism. He noted that in 2016 there was support from Prime Minister Of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves and the then Foreign Minister Maxine McClean who said the government would “support it in principle”. But he highlighted that it has not gone any further since that time.

“I think it is a matter that needs to be revisited…” said Comissiong.

In his earlier comments, Commissiong stated firmly that Barbados remains proud to have Cuba as “a treasured friend”.

He outlined that the relationship with Cuba is based on a historical foundation rooted in solidarity, co-operation, complementarity and a common Caribbean civilisation.
He expressed the view that the long-standing embargo continues to be a cause of serious concern. He emphasised Barbados’ strong opposition of this unilateral action and the recent application of Article three of the Helms Burton Law that imposes new restrictions and further exasperates the situation.

“The continued attempt to stop the people of Cuba from living with basic human dignity is unacceptable,” said Commissiong.

‘Cuba will never forget’
Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Barbados, Sergio Jorge Pastrana, reminded the small audience made up of representatives from the local government, Cuban, Venezuelan and Guyanese diplomats, and the family member of one of the victims, Jacqueline Williams, that his country will never forget the heinous act of terrorism.

On October 6, 1976, Cubana de Aviación Flight 455 was brought down by a terrorist bomb attack on a flight from Barbados to Jamaica. All 73 people on board the Douglas DC-8 aircraft were killed; this included the 24 members of the Cuban National fencing team.

After the speeches, Commissiong, Pastrana and Chargé d’affaires for the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Barbados, Álvaro Sánchez Cordero, each placed a wreath at the monument and took a moment of silence for the victims who died 43 years ago.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000