St. John’s. August 14. The Embassy of Cuba was the venue chosen to highlight the significance and transcendence of the Commander in Chief on the occasion of his 92nd birthday.
On behalf of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honorable Paul Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and International Trade, was charged with the main remarks. In an extensive reflection on the Commander in Chief, the Member of Parliament for St. Paul’s referred to Fidel Castro's relationship with the Caribbean and the validity of his thoughts on climate change and care for the environment, citing, among others, his interventions on the occasion of the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Particularly in the case of Antigua and Barbuda, he highlighted Fidel's contribution to its human resource training. Speaking on his own behalf and that of the Prime Minister, Hon. Gaston Browne, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the evening’s event and stressed that Fidel, despite the significance of his work and his indisputable presence in the lives of the Cuban people, did not allow the erection of monuments or edifices to be named after him, accordingly with his refusal to the possible cult of personality.
The Ambassador of Cuba, Gustavo Veliz Olivares who thanked those present for the huge response to the call and cited the speeches of the Army General at the Cuba-CARICOM Summit VI and the Act for the 65th Anniversary of the Moncada in Santiago de Cuba, reaffirmed Cuba's support and solidarity with the Caribbean.
Dr. Rafael García spoke on behalf of the Medical Brigade explained and gave thanks for the contributions of the Commander in Chief in everything related to the conformation and development of the Cuban health system, including the stimulation to the training of specialists and the compliance with international solidarity in health matters. Collaborator Yuritzander Labato (Microbiology) performed a song dedicated to the Commander in Chief.
The Minister of Sports and Culture, Hon. Darryll Mattew, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Anthony Liverpool, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Lionel Hurst, Adviser to the Prime Minister, Ambassador Colin Murdoch, Opposition Senator Shawn Nicholas and the ambassadors of China and Venezuela among others were in attendance. A large representation of graduates from Cuba, several members of the Afro Caribbean Liberation Movement, as well as collaborators and Cuban residents were also present at the activity that had coverage on national television ABSTV.
Estela Bravo's documentary "Anécdotas sobre Fidel" with English subtitles was watched with great reception.
