We condemn the attack on the Cuban Embassy in Washington DC which took place this past Sunday, the 24th of September. We stand in solidarity with the Cuban people.
This attack follows decades of violent terrorism against the Cuban state and people, including some in recent years. A similar attack on the Cuban Embassy in the US occurred in 2020 and a global network of far-right groups targeted Cuban missions in different countries in 2021. This involved petrol bombs being thrown at the Cuban Embassy in France.
Their activities even spread to Jamaica. A mob gathered in front of the embassy, where they blocked its entrance and hurled threats towards its staff and other Cuban residents on the island. Along with some Cuban residents in Jamaica and some local solidarity groups, LANDS mobilised to defend the embassy from the violent mob.
These attacks on Cuba highlight the hypocrisy of the US government that has placed and kept Cuba on the list of alleged State Sponsors of Terrorism, despite Cuba having never been found supporting terrorists. We condemn the inclusion of Cuba on this list and demand its immediate removal from it. On the other hand, the US has been a sponsor of terrorism, including in the Caribbean, as was seen with the bombing of Cubana Flight 455 by a US-backed group in 1976. The flight was headed to Jamaica.
Cubans have had much pain inflicted on them as a result of the terror campaigns carried out by the US and its allies. In remembrance of this, the 6th of October is being marked as the Cuba• CARICOM Day Against Terrorism. On this date, we will strengthen our efforts against all fronts of irregular warfare waged on Cuba.
We ask other organisations to join us in standing in solidarity with Cuba and against terrorism directed towards the nations of our region.
Sincerely,
Alexander Scott
Deputy Chairman ofJamaica LANDS