Kingston, 26 July 2024. Convened by the Cuban state mission in Jamaica, the Jamaica-Cuba Friendship Association (JCFA) and the Association of Cuban Residents in Jamaica (ACRJ), the event to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the assault on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Barracks took place on the afternoon of July 26th.
The event was attended by the Honourable Mark Golding, Leader of the Opposition and the People's National Party (PNP), Andrew Swaby, Mayor of Kingston and St. Andrew, representatives of the PNP Youth Wing, the Jamaica Peace Council, the Left Alliance for Democracy and Socialism (LANDS), the Marcus Garvey People's Political Party and the Pan-African People's Party. Members of the Association of Graduates in Cuba and representatives of the media also participated.
In a ceremony marked by a heartfelt tribute to the heroes and martyrs of this heroic deed, health collaborators recalled the actions of 26 July and highlighted their valuable lessons, which are still valid today.
Osvaldo Cardenas Junquera, president of the ACRJ reaffirmed that Cuba does not surrender, nor will it renounce its political and social system and the defence of its sovereignty and national independence.
The Ambassador of Cuba to Jamaica, Fermín Quiñones Sánchez, in his remarks to those present, highlighted the influence of the Centenary Generation in the history of our country. He also reaffirmed the will of the Cuban people to resist the adversities imposed by the genocidal policy of the US government blockade and the unjust permanence of our country on the spurious list of State sponsors of terrorism. He stressed that, despite the difficulties, Cuba will continue its work of solidarity in Jamaica and around the world.
As part of the celebration, the poems "Era la mañana de la Santa Ana" by Indio Naborí and "26 de victorias" were recited and traditional Cuban music was played.