Kingston, Jamaica, 17 August 2020. This Sunday, the Solidarity Movement with Cuba in Jamaica celebrated the 94th Anniversary of the birth of the Commander in Chief of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz. The wide, varied, virtual activity ̶ of a political and cultural type ̶ was attended by about 20 speakers, and the opportunity was taken to project videos about Fidel and his relationship with Jamaica and to enjoy the performance of prestigious artists.
Speakers in the videoconference ̶ either live or via messages specially recorded for the occasion ̶ included former Prime Minister of Jamaica Percival, the Most Honourable James Patterson; the Hero of the Republic of Cuba and President of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples, Fernando González Llort; the M-26-7 movement member and current Vice president of the Association of Cuban Residents in Jamaica, Osvaldo Cárdenas Junquera; the late Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies and founder of the Trade Union Education Institute and the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, Rex Nettleford; Jamaicans graduated or studying in Cuba; representatives of political and social organizations in Jamaica; the Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Jamaica, Dr. José Armando Arronte; Mr. Yomch Sao, who contributed to the fight against Ebola in Africa and is currently a member of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Jamaica; and the Head of the Cuban State Mission in Jamaica, Ambassador Inés Fors, who delivered the closing remarks.
Speeches carried words of praise for the life and work of Fidel; gratitude for the altruistic work of the Cuban Revolution ̶ particularly for services rendered by the Cuban medical brigades even in the most remote corners of the world, ̶ and solidarity with Cuba in its struggle to put an end to the US economic, commercial and financial blockade and to achieve the unconditional return of the territory illegally occupied by the United States Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay.
The event was also honoured with (virtual) performances specially dedicated to the occasion by the Jamaican musical groups "Skatalites", "Akwaaba Drummers" and "Elad Justice"; the Venezuelan singer Luis Felipe Bellorín; and the Jamaican dance company "L'ACADCO".