On Friday 6th October, 2023, Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, joined with Her Excellency Tania Diego Olite, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, at the Piarco International Airport for a Wreath Laying Ceremony to commemorate the 47th Anniversary of the terrorist bombing of Cubana Airlines Flight 455 off the coast of Barbados.
The tragic act occurred on 6th October, 1976 and led to the deaths of 73 innocent people. In his remarks, Minister Browne paid homage to their memory, including the 11 Guyanese nationals who lost their lives and the gold medal winning national Cuban fencing team. Minister Browne declared that whilst the event had a profound impact on the airline industry and on CARICOM, Trinidad and Tobago and the region remained resolute in their commitment to deepening relations with Cuba. He recounted the role played by Trinidad and Tobago police authorities in the apprehension of the two perpetrators of the heinous act. The two men, originally from Venezuela, boarded the Cubana flight in Port of Spain journeyed to Barbados and then planted the time bombs and exited the aircraft and came back to Trinidad and Tobago. Minister Browne further opined that the anniversary, in commemoration of the tragedy, was a fitting moment to call for the removal of Cuba from any listing as a state sponsor of terrorism.
His Excellency Alvaro Sanchez Cordero, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Trinidad and Tobago, in his remarks paid tribute to those who lost their lives. Noting that it was a sad moment given the involvement of Venezuelan nationals, the Ambassador offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
Her Excellency Tania Diego Olite, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, also honoured the victims of the bombing and advised that Cuba had unfairly been placed on the list of states sponsoring terrorism, calling for the country’s removal. From the list.
