With the presence of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, two heroic events coinciding in the history of Barbados and Cuba took place in a joint political-cultural event on July 26: the Barbadian National Day of Significance and the Day of Cuban National Rebellion, the first one commemorating the workers' rebellion led in 1937 by today's National Hero Clement Payne and the second recalling the armed uprising against the Moncada and Céspedes barracks, led by the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro. In his opening speech, lawyer and social activist David Comissiong, president of the Clement Payne Movement, a progressive non-governmental organization that defends the demands of the working class and panafricanist social sectors, highlighted the common political and philosophical essence of both uprisings in which numerous freedom fighters sacrificed their lives and most of their comrades suffered repression and exile due to their attempt to conquer independence and the rights of the working class to live and work in a more just and equalitarian society. In this regard, he highlighted the path of Clement Payne as a pioneer of the revolutionary trade union movement in this part of the Caribbean and that of Fidel Castro who was able to guide his people to the revolutionary triumph of 1959 and build a socialist society that continues today as a victorious example for the world.
In the other hand, the Cuban ambassador, Francisco Fernández, told the fundamental elements of the epic starring young people of the "centennial generation", highlighting its historical significance to be inspired by the work and thought of José Martí, whose legacy they rescued for good by the hundredth anniversary of its fall in combat for independence. He also emphasized that the historical connections of Barbados and Cuba are not just for the July 26 celebration, since on April 16 the first anti-slavery and anticolonialist rebellion led by General Bussa in Barbados in 1816 ended, and another April 16, In 1961, the Cuban people prevented the return of Yankee neocolonialism by defeating the mercenary invasion at Playa Girón. Also relevant are the joint actions of both countries in the fight against terrorism, as occurred during the terrorist attack against Cubana's airplane in October 1976, as well as in the contribution to the liberation of Angola when Barbados agreed to support the airlift from Cuba allowing in aircraft replenishment in its territory.