40 years ago a horrendous terrorist act was committed against a civilian Cubana de Aviación aircraft that killed 73 people on board, 57 Cubans, 11 Guyanese and 5 North Koreans. An explosive charge planted by mercenaries destroyed the aircraft in midair a few minutes after takeoff from the airport in Barbados. The culprits had proven links with the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States and still enjoy impunity and protection in the territory of that country.
Out of the Guyanese group, six youngsters had been selected to study medicine in Cuba, losing thereby people who would be trained precisely to save lives. The self-denying North Koreans, representatives of a people under siege, were making a journey of friendship around Latin America.
The Cubans were young compatriots whose average age barely exceeded 30 years; however, they had a rich history of contribution to study, work, sports and the Revolution. Among them was the captain of the aircraft who had been vested as a National Hero of Labour, others had been decorated with the XX Anniversary Medal. Several among the crew had provided various internationalist services and the athletes had won all the gold medals in the Regional Fencing Competition that had just been held in Caracas. They were humble workers or students and athletes who fulfilled with modesty and dedication the tasks assigned by the homeland.
The policy of State terrorism perpetrated against Cuba is responsible for the grief and pain of many Cuban families, the destruction and ravaging of the people’s estate and facilities. For that reason, Cuba decreed October 6th the Day of Victims of State Terrorism by the abominable crime committed on that date in 1976.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The execution of numerous criminal acts and sabotage has also been proven as well as the use of mercenaries, and not only against Cuba, but also against other countries considered friends of ours.
The very Senate of The United States investigated and publicly acknowledged the countless CIA plans to assassinate leaders of the Cuban Revolution and its dedication to this task for several years.
Cuba rejects double standards and unilateral actions contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and to the principles and norms of International Law.
May serve this commemoration to reaffirm the unbreakable will of Cuba to fight terrorism, its deepest rejection and condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations by whomever, against whoever and wherever they are committed; whatever their motivations are, including those in which States are directly or indirectly involved.
Cuba strongly supports the collective efforts of the United Nations against terrorism and reaffirms the multilateral and bilateral cooperation to that purpose. Terrorism affects international efforts for disarmament and for a world of peace, and it is not in keeping with the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, conducted by the Heads of State and Government of the Region on the occasion of the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States CELAC, held in January 2014, in Havana, Cuba.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Cuba recognizes that much still remains to be done in the fight against terrorism. The international community must take concrete steps towards the adoption of a General Convention on this scourge to define it in its entirety.
Likewise, we must also tackle the causes and conditions that may enhance it as poverty, inequality, insalubrity, illiteracy, discrimination, hegemonic domination desires, among other factors.
The issue of protection of victims of terrorism is a priority. States are called upon to fulfill their international obligations without double standards, including judge and extradite all terrorists, without exception.
The Cuban people demands an end to the impunity that the terrorist responsible for the midair bombing on October 6th 1976 of a Cubana de Aviación aircraft still enjoys, which resulted in the death of 73 people.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our most sincere gratitude to the Guyanese Authorities and People for this commemoration. For having erected this monument as a remembrance of the victims of the terrorist act, which also constitutes encouragement in the battle that together we fight against this scourge.
On this day our belief in the strength of patriotism and internationalism are reaffirmed as bastions of the struggle of honest and worthy men of this world and as a guarantee of a victorious future.
Our crew, athletes and compatriots cowardly killed on that day will live forever in the hearts of our people and will continue to be the inspiration in the battle against terrorism and for a more revolutionary, more internationalist and socialist homeland.
Family members and fellow countrymen of the Guyanese and North Korean brothers cruelly killed, you must know that they will also remain forever in our fervent memory; and by reminding us that terrorism has no borders, they will be a spur in our common struggle.
The historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, in a solemn ceremony for the victims of this cowardly action said:
"We can not say that the pain is shared. The pain is multiplied. Millions of Cubans today mourn along the beloved ones of the victims of the abominable crime. And when an energetic and virile people cries, injustice trembles!”
And this legacy is a beacon and guidance, because we are certain that in this fight against terrorism We will Win!
Thank you very much!