Source: Erasmus Williams FB
HAVANA, CUBA – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Resident Ambassador in Havana, Cuba, Her Excellency Verna Mills, chaired the 50th Anniversary Commemoration to Honour the Victims of Cubana Flight 455.
On Monday, October 5th, the Embassy of Guyana—in collaboration with the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors—commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the tragic downing of Cubana Flight 455. The October 6, 1976 terrorist attack off the coast of Barbados claimed 73 innocent lives, including 57 Cubans, 11 Guyanese, and 5 North Koreans.
The solemn day began with a moving wreath-laying ceremony at the Cementerio de Colón.
Ambassador Mills delivered both the opening and closing remarks. Clergy representatives offered prayers for the victims, followed by a ceremonial reading of the roll call honouring each life lost.
The morning featured poignant addresses from H.E. Halim Majeed, Ambassador of Guyana, and H.E. David Commissiong, Ambassador of Barbados to CARICOM, who delivered the keynote address.
Distinguished attendees included H.E. Elio Rodríguez Perdomo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, alongside CARICOM Heads of Mission, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and the families of the victims.
Later that afternoon, a second commemorative ceremony took place at the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP). Chaired by H.E. Glen Noel, Ambassador of Grenada, the event featured powerful remarks from the President of ICAP, Mr. Fernando González Llort, Ambassador Halim Majeed, and a second keynote address by Ambassador David Commissiong.
H.E. Gerardo Peñalver Portal, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, attended the event.
Half a century later, CARICOM stands firmly united with the bereaved families and nations of the Caribbean, ensuring the memory of the victims continues to inspire a collective commitment to peace, solidarity, and justice
