Castries, August 15, 2026 – With the presence of Governor-General Felix Finisterre; Senate President, the Honorable Alva Reynolds; Governor-General Emerita Dame Pearlette Louisy; Minister of Public Service, Transportation, Information and Utilities Regulation, the Honorable Stephenson King; Cabinet Secretary Agosta Degazon; Senator Virginia Poyotte; and former Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, the centenary of Fidel Castro was celebrated in the Saint Lucian capital.
Also participating was the Ambassador of Saint Lucia to Mexico and Venezuela, Peter Lansiquot, the Venezuelan ambassador to Saint Lucia, Leiff Escalona, the representative of the People's Republic of China, Stanley Hu, graduates from Cuba, Cuban residents, members of the Saint Lucia-Cuba Friendship Association, and healthcare collaborators.
Atef Daniel, a graduate from Cuba, expressed the gratitude of the professionals formed in Cuba for the opprotunity, even though they came from very humble families in rural Saint Lucia. For her part, Marlene Alexander, president of the Friendship Association, highlighted the valuable work of the Saint Lucia-Cuba Friendship Association during 21 years of love and solidarity with Cuba.
The Ambassador at Large, Earl Huntley, spoke about the uninterrupted 47-year bilateral relationship between our two Caribbean sister nations and recalled phrases from our beloved Fidel Castro.
The Cuban Ambassador to Saint Lucia, Yenielys Vilma Regueiferos Linares, described the complex situation currently facing Cuba due to the strengthening of the economic, commercial, financial, and energy blockades. She emphasized that Cuba is not an unusual or extraordinary threat to the United States or any other country, denounced the unjust inclusion of Cuba on the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism, and strongly rejected the continued sanctions against Cuban individuals and institutions. She reaffirmed that the Cuban people will defend their homeland against any aggression.
A highlight of the event was the masterful address by former Prime Minister Kenny Anthony, who shared anecdotes about Fidel Castro, emphasized his ethical and human values, and expressed gratitude for Fidel's essential role in Caribbean integration and Cuba's ties with CARICOM. Amid laughter about stories of the former Prime Minister's encounters with the Commander, and the eternal recognition of the regional and world leader, those present enjoyed a master class on the ever-admired and beloved Commander-in-Chief.