Skip to main content

FM
Former Member
Guyana and Cuba paid homage to victims of the Cubana Air Disaster 1976

Published on Friday, 07 October 2011 23:03
Written by Super User
Source

The Guyana and Cuban Governments on October 6 paid homage to the seventy three persons that died in the Cubana Air Disaster. During the commemoration ceremony, the two governments called for a united voice around the world to speak out against such acts of terrorism.

The Cuban Embassy on Thursday evening held a commemoration ceremony for the seventy three persons who lost their lives in the Cubana Air Disaster in 1976. At the commemoration ceremony, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said the Cubana Air Disaster will always be imbedded in the minds of Guyanese due to the ongoing relationship between Guyana and Cuba.

β€œGuyana continues to join with Cuba in calling for the perpetrators of what was then the most deadly act of terrorism of the western hemisphere to be brought to justice. The government of Guyana also wishes to recognise the resilient spirit of the government and people of Cuba in rising above challenges such as that one” Prime Minister Hinds said.

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar, called for the condemnation of such acts of terrorism in all its forms.

β€œIf we are to make a real impact on the fight against terrorism, the perpetrators of the crime against the Cubana airplane 35 years ago those people who are still walking free in the United States must be brought to justice”

The ambassador of Cuba to Guyana, Raul Gortazar Morrero while paying tribute to those who lost their lives, said the blood of Cuba and Guyana were united forever onboard the Cubana flight. He affirmed that Cuba will not rest in the struggle until justice is done.

October 6 marked 35 years since the Cubana air disaster, where eleven Guyanese, Five Koreans and fifty seven Cubans perish on board the Cubana flight 455, which was heading from Barbados to Jamaica. It was described as one of the most deadly terrorist attacks in the western hemisphere. Four men were arrested in connection with the bombing and a trial was held in venezuela.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

35th Anniversary of Cubana Air Disaster commemorated

Georgetown, GINA, October 7, 2011
Source - GINA

The Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Samuel Hinds at an exhibition in the Cuban Embassy depicting photographs and aspects of the Cubana air disaster on the 6th October 1976.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds last evening joined Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Raul Gortazar-Marrero, People’s Progressive Party/Civic Adviser and Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar, Samuel Abdool, President of the Guyana Cuba Friendship Association and relatives of those who perished in the Cubana Air Disaster that occurred on October 6, 1976 in commemorating the event’s 35th anniversary.

The Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Samuel Hinds at an exhibition in the Cuban Embassy depicting photographs and aspects of the Cubana air disaster on the 6th October 1976.

All the speakers at the event held at the Cuban Embassy lamented that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are still unpunished and are walking free in the United States while there are still five Cubans languishing in American jails for trying to curb terrorists from entering Cuba.

The event ended with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and the viewing of an exhibition and film.

On October 6, 1976, Flight CU-455 was scheduled to fly from Guyana to Havana, Cuba via Trinidad, Barbados and Kingston. At 17.24, nine minutes out of Barbados and at an altitude of 18,000 feet, a bomb located in the aircraft’s rear lavatories exploded. The captain radioed the control to request immediate landing.

The plaque at the Cuban Embassy commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Cubana air disaster.

The plane was in rapid descent and while the pilots unsuccessfully tried to return the plane to the airport a second bomb exploded causing the plane to crash into the Atlantic Ocean.
All 48 passengers and 25 crew aboard the plane died: 57 Cubans, 11 Guyanese and 5 North Koreans. Among the dead were 24 members of the Cuban fencing team that had just won all the gold medals in the Central American and Caribbean Championships; many were teenagers.

The 11 Guyanese passengers included 18 and19-year old medical students and the wife of a Guyanese diploma while the 5 Koreans were government officials and one cameraman.

It was later discovered that the time bombs were planted on the plane in Barbados by two of the perpetrators who then exited the plane. The two other persons implicated Louis Posada Carilles and Orlando Bosch who, after being held in the United States are now roaming free in Miami.

The Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Samuel Hinds, His Exellency Senor Gortazar Marrero, Mr. Donald Ramotar, Presidential Candidate of the PPP/C, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran and Mr. Komal Chand of GAWU at the Cuban Embassy commemorating the35th Anniversary of the Cubana air disaster.
FM

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×