Kingston, 28 January 2026. On the afternoon of 27 January, the Embassy of Cuba in Jamaica hosted a tribute to our National Hero José Martí on the occasion of the 173rd anniversary of his birth. In attendance were José Antonio Sánchez-Vega, Chargé d'Affaires of the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; members of the Cuban community residing in Jamaica; members of the Movement of Solidarity with Cuba; and representatives of the Medical and Educational Brigades working in Jamaica.
The ceremony began with the laying of a floral offering at the foot of the bust of Martí that stands at the entrance to the diplomatic headquarters, as a fitting tribute to the most universal of Cubans. During this solemn moment, tribute was paid to the 32 Cuban heroes and Venezuelan combatants who lost their lives in defence of the sovereignty of the land of Liberator Simón Bolívar on 3 January.
During the event, the relevance of Martí's Latin Americanist and anti-imperialist thinking was highlighted in order to confront the new onslaught by Donald Trump's administration against our country and the Latin American and Caribbean nations, in clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
In her remarks to those present, Cuba's Ambassador to Jamaica, Tania López Larroque, reflected on the symbolism of the Torch March as a clear demonstration of the commitment of the new generations to the ideals of freedom, justice and love of country. She also stressed that ‘if there is one thing we have been able to honour the Apostle for in these 67 years of Revolution, it is to have shown the world that a small country, under siege by US imperialism, which spares no resources to strengthen its criminal, genocidal and illegal policy of commercial, economic and financial blockade, can do a lot with very little’.
As part of the activity, the youngest members of the Embassy recited the poem ‘Pour out your sorrow, heart,’ while health and education collaborators highlighted the importance of Martí’s stay in Jamaica and the relevance of ‘Abdala’.