CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Celebrated workshop at the University of West Indies- Cave Hill, 35 years after the downing of the Plane over Barbados

BARBADOS, October 13, 2011.- Under the name "The Threat of Terrorism 35 years after the Cubana tragedy", the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill in Barbados, in cooperation with the embassies of Cuba and Venezuela, led a workshop for reflection and analysis on the causes and consequences for the Caribbean of the terrorist act that killed 73 people aboard the Cubana airliner back October 6, 1976.

A panel with the renowned Caribbean journalist and columnist Ricky Singh, Professor Cecilia Karch-Braithwaite, political activist David Commissiong and Jose Pertierra, the Cuban-born lawyer based in the US, examined from different perspectives the heinous act.

In his characteristic sharp style and focused on the historical context, Singh framed the terrorist act and the need for new generations to study it seriously, and acknowledged that the university in the region now need greater political commitment and social especially in the Caribbean.

Cecilia recounted her experience and with heartfelt words narrated that witnessed that afternoon 35 years ago, from the hill where the University is,  the evolution of the plane after the bombs exploded, planted by murderous hands.

In his role as political activist, Commissiong stated that imperialism is the same since the days of colonialism imposed by blood and fire their mark through crime and the disappearance of the native population in America, and today continues to sow terrorism in the world with their invasions and smart weapons.

Finally, Pertierra, specially invited for the occasion, brought details of the investigation that led to the arrest of the perpetrators and the evolution of the case until today in which the mastermind and chief terrorist in the hemisphere is still guarded on U.S. soil.

The expert also updated the audience on the case of the Cuban Five, closely linked to the October 1976 attack and the injustice of the proceedings against them, including the "supervised release" that is to submit to René González.

Wilfredo Perez Rodriguez, son of the pilot of Flight CU 455 and the ambassadors of Cuba and Venezuela, Lissette Perez and Jose Gomez respectively were at the discussion. (Cubaminrex/Embacuba Barbados)