Kingston, Jamaica, 31 January 2022. Ambassador of Cuba to Jamaica, Fermin Quiñones, sent a message on condolences for the demise of Matthias Brown, comunity leader and coordinator of the Westmoreland chapter of the Jamaica Cuba Friendship Association (JCFA).
Matthias, a recipient of the Medal of Friendship, was one of the greatest friends that Cuba has had in this sister island of Jamaica. He was deeply committed to the wellbeing and progress of his community of Petersfield and, by extension, Westmoreland. His labour leading the Westmoreland chapter of the JCFA preserved and strengthen the bonds of camaraderie and brotherhood between our two peoples in that region of Jamaica. When a person with the prestige of Matthias said: “we need to look what Cuba is doing”, “we need to stand by Cuba”, those words carried weight and got into the hearts and minds of neighbours and colleagues.
He was a steadfast supporter of the Jamaica Cuba bilateral scholarships, and every candidate he put forward stood out for their academic achievement and social commitment.
Every April, Mattias and his chapter organized the national event for the anniversary of the victory of Playa Girón, first defeat of the US imperialism in America. It was always a great opportunity for our Embassy to exchange with the people of western Jamaica and keep the flame of friendship alight.
The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples also sent a message of condolences on the passing of the lifelong friend of Cuba.