The Barbados-Cuba Friendship Association marked the 50th anniversary of the Cubana Flight 455 bombing on Monday, demanding that the United States end its blockade against Cuba and urging Barbadians to donate medication to the island.

The Barbados-Cuba Friendship Association extended its deepest sympathy and unwavering solidarity to the governments and peoples of Cuba, Guyana and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as the October 6 anniversary of the attack approached.

On October 6, 1976, Cubana Flight 455 was brought down off the coast of Barbados after two bombs exploded on board. The association denounced that bombs had been planted by anti-Cuba terrorists living freely in the United States, and it described the attack as “a barbaric and cowardly act of terrorism.”

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The bombing claimed the lives of 73 innocent people. Among those murdered were Guyanese students traveling to Cuba to pursue their studies, diplomats from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and the young Cuban fencing team, which was returning home after winning many gold medals in Venezuela.

The organization stressed that the crime was committed on Barbadian soil. In this sense, the solidarity group argued that Barbadians carry a historical and moral duty to remember the victims, to condemn terrorism in all its forms, and to stand firmly with the families and peoples who lost their loved ones. On this solemn anniversary, the association condemned the bombing in the strongest terms and demanded that U.S. government finally bring all those responsible to justice. It also called on Washington to cease harbouring terrorists who continue to plot against Cuba.

Three Demands on Anniversary

On the anniversary, the association made three main demands. First, it condemned the bombing “in the strongest terms” and demanded that the U.S. government bring to justice those responsible and stop harboring people it accuses of plotting against Cuba.

Second, it called for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the U.S. blockade against Cuba, which it described as the “longest in modern history” and the main obstacle to the island’s development.

Third, and beyond the condemnation, the group issued a direct appeal to its own government. It called on the government of Barbados and all CARICOM governments to continue condemning terrorist acts against Cuba and to intensify their calls at the United Nations for an end to the blockade.

Text reads: “The crime of Barbados has added to the list of victims of terrorism against Cuba.”

Aid for Cuba

The association argued that the blockade is causing immense suffering for the Cuban people. Families are struggling, it said, while children and the elderly find it extremely difficult to obtain essential medication and medical supplies because of the cruel restrictions imposed by the U.S. coercive measures.

In response, the organization reiterated its call for Barbadians to donate medication for Cuba. It announced that it will officially launch a National Medication Drive and a fundraising account in October, allowing citizens, organizations and businesses to contribute financially. All funds collected through the initiative will be used to purchase vital medication to be shipped directly to the Cuban people, the association explained.

The group closed its statement with an invitation to all Barbadians to stand in solidarity, remembrance and action on October 6, five decades after the attack that shook the Caribbean and claimed lives from three nations.

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