On Tuesday evening, Dominica’s Prime Minister who is also CARICOM’s present Chairman, Roosevelt Skerrit, offered a tribute to Cuba’s former President Fidel Castro at José Martí Revolution Square in Havana. Castro passed away on November 26. He was 90 years old. Below is the full tribute by the Prime Minister.
Salutations
• H. E Raul Castro, President of the Republic of Cuba
• Heads of State and Government
• Excellencies
• Ladies and Gentlemen
• The Great Cuban People
The pages of history record that in every century, there has emerged at least one larger-than-life personality who captures the attention of the world if only for their unique boldness in pursuing the extraordinary and for the shockwaves they generate in confronting oppression and the established order.
Fidel Castro, the acknowledged leader of the Cuban revolution, was one such person. I feel privileged to have been able to call him a friend and mentor.
Inspired by the great Cuban independence hero Jose Marti, who had the vision of a Cuba free of U.S interference, a Cuba “for all Cubans and the good of all Cubans”; he liberated Cubans from the brutal Batista dictatorship, leading his country along the socialist path of self-determination.
For over fifty years, and with the support of friends, the Cuban revolution survived a harsh, western engineered economic and trade embargo that cost you, the Cuban people, billions of dollars. The Caribbean Community, CARICOM, recalls with pride that it was four of our Member States who rallied together in 1972 to break the diplomatic isolation of Cuba in this hemisphere.
Under the indomitable leadership of Fidel, Cuba did not only survive, but went on to develop a public health care system second to none, an education system that left no one behind, a capacity for scientific research and for innovation in the pharmaceutical industry that has placed Cuba among global leaders, and an athletics and sports infrastructure renowned for producing world champions.
Comrade Fidel’s zeal to untangle the grip of colonisation and oppression went beyond the shores of his beloved Cuba.
His interventions in Mozambique and the Angolan War changed the course of history in these two former Portuguese colonies and played a defining role in the struggle to free South Africa and the continent from the scourge of apartheid.
He was a true friend, reaching out to newly independent countries across Latin America and the Caribbean to assist in areas where Cuba was relatively strong. This was especially evident in the training of medical doctors and other health care workers and the granting of scholarships in other disciplines.
CARICOM will be forever grateful to Fidel and to you, the Cuban people for the great sacrifices you have made, against great adversity, in annually sustaining the training of our professionals for decades on both a bilateral and multilateral basis.
It is difficult to identify a sector in any of our economies that Cuba and Comrade Fidel have not impacted for the better. I can say, without fear of being contradicted, that our health services would be the poorer, but for the generous hand of Fidel at critical times in our development. We have recognised that contribution, by awarding him our highest honour, the Order of the Caribbean Community, in 2008, the only non-CARICOM citizen to whom it has been accorded.
Comrade Fidel was undoubtedly, one of the iconic political giants of the second half of the twentieth century. He joins a distinguished brotherhood of freedom fighters such as Yasser Arafat and Nelson Mandela, whose resilience and determination were a source of strength for their people.
Cuba now mourns the loss of a great leader, teacher and father; we share the pain and emptiness that you feel, for we have lost a faithful and valued friend.
His memory lives on in our mission to provide for our people and to build a world in which justice, fairness and peace prevail.
Fidel Castro was a man of his time and used the tools available to deal with the realities faced by Cuba, in the fight against injustice and oppression.
As for me, I have lost a friend and a great teacher. A man who had a genuine interest in the peculiar challenges besetting small island states and who readily assisted, not only in thought and talk, but in deed.
The Commonwealth of Dominica shall, at the appropriate time, act decisively to ensure that his contribution to our island and region, and indeed to humanity, is memorialized, for the enlightenment of future generations.
Rest, My Brother, Rest Peacefully.
Nobody of age living in the Caribbean could be ignorant of he dark side of Castro’s revolution.
Those who celebrate this Soviet style government in Cuba have to close their eyes to the murder, the incarceration, and expulsion from the island of many who did not support Castro, along with the destruction of their homes, and the confiscation of their belongings.
What I find especially grievous is the fact that families were torn asunder as people were forced to flee Cuba while their loved ones were not allowed to leave the island.
I have heard these things called “lies” by those who celebrate the revolution and boast of the great gains
All because the people let one self centered lawless man have his way and nobody had the manhood to bring him down.
communism gave Cuba. But at what a horrific cost to human lives, freedom, family life, comfort, and dignity
If the P.M. of another nation endorses the Cuban revolution I would want to know if he wishes the same for his own country. I would expect him to be saying things to see how much support there was for the idea, and hoping his people did not let it happen.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
If the P.M. of another nation praises Castro and endorses the Communist revolution in Cuba would he not wish for the same in his own country
I would expect him to want the same and work for it.
I would expect him to be publically saying things to see how much support there would be for a change before he made his move. He would want to get like minded people around him. These things only happen when the people let them happen. A communist government is not a viable alternative to democracy. In a democracy you vote to turn things around to get a genuine government of the people by the people for the people.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
It may be expensive, but I am mindful to freeze myself until the day when a news article can be published, without the comments always being political. Why must every article commented upon always have to be so vexatious and political? For a population so small I really don’t understand it. And you’re the same ones expecting things to change. We need to grow the hell up for christ sake. If you cannot read a damn article without being so political then why read any at all? Not one of you said R.I.P Fidel…or thank you for the help you gave to Dominica Fidel, thank you for the Doctors and nurses Fidel. Nope too badmind and ungrateful and you want change? You can’t handle the change that you’re crying for.
the country’s passport or hand over its Diplomatic passports to all and sundry, even those foreigners with problems with the law?
Fidel was a humble man. He didn’t use his position as leader of the Cuban revolution to amass massive wealth, to make millions. He surely has no millions in foreign banks. The Cuban Revolution, that gave so much to Dominica, has been betrayed by those who are rubbing shoulders with millionaires, with King of Morocco. and depriving the people of a decent living. See how our farmers, Public works, Dapex, construction workers, women, youth are treated with contempt.
Fidel Castro may not have been as humble and poor as we have been made to believe bro. Read for yourself.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2637927/castro-commie-hypocrite...
http://www.herealcuba.com/?/page_id=74
I think his system worked very swell for him to enjoy life to the full and he would eradicate anyone who threaten that lifestyle. Free education and health care is good but that does not justify taking people’s personal freedom away. There is no democracy or free press in Cuba and right now Skerrit is there idolising a box of ashes. At least that is what we are made to believe that it are Fidel Castro’s ashes going round the country behind that jeep. When you think about it this is a sick thing to do.
Lest we forget. Remember the whole campaign in relation to Baroness Scotland for the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth? Irrespective of what, Skerritt was stubborn in doing everything to have baroness scotland elected. CARICOM member countries generally backed Ronald Sanders. But Skerritt didn’t care about CARICOM’s stance.
Witness the modus operandi of that Baroness. Sashing of Skerritt by the Illuminati from Rome. Baroness Scotland role in that. ILLUMINATI in Rome since removed the crown from Skerritt. Skerritt and his ilk were all bamboozled, manipulated to support the candidate of the former MOTHER country. Skerritt didn’t care whether CARICOM was dismantled as a result.
What about Skerritt recently establishing links with Morocco, which is occupying the lands of poor Black people of Western Sahara for decades? Cuba on the side of the Sahawaris fighting oppression. Skerritt rubbing shoulders with millionaires. Would Cuba ever sell…
the country’s passports or hand over its Diplomatic passports to all kinds of foreigners, especially several with trouble with the law?
Fidel was a humble man. He died with no riches or millions in a bank somewhere.. Witness what some of those leaders are amassing on the backs of the poor people .
Typical Skerrit making political mileage out of this now Fidel is no longer there to tell him he is getting too big for his boots. That is sick man. Friends I have even stopped watching local Marpin news because that have become a showcase for Skerrit and his government propaganda run by the same people that run his press office. CNN, BBC & even Fox more informative than that. Marpin becoming a brother to GIS. I don’t want to be brainwashed.
Is this Dominica…
This man is all about his ego, playing a self-serving bias to the maximum, while people like Gene Pestina and Ras Algie – just to name a few, left begging in their darkest hours.
I am not taking away the prsises for the work thst Castro did to elevate the poor and oppressed but let us not be naive. Castro and his family are filthy rich. Castri’s son Antonio is known for his larvish living. His w69 foot yscht andcexpendive vacation.
When Forbes magazine exposed the castro family wealth Fidel spent 3 hoirs talking about how he was going to sue Firbrs magazine and never made a move. Fidel nrver wanted the people yo see or know of his luxurious life, his vacstion island etc and he did a good job through censorship.
So Castro show one side of the curtain as the humblr ,non sophisticated, modest life but behind that curtain is those joint business Ventures with outside companies, his private banks etc.
Lang Mama is no sucker. Castro conviniently fid not get his sons in the political front because he kniw very well thst they live a life of luxury while cubans are forced ti accept poverty.
Well said PM you could not have done it any better. Cuba made us Professionals for which i will be eternally grateful. Rest in peace brother Fidel. Hasta La Vivctoria Siempre. La Lucha Continua La vVitoria es Cierta.
Dictators all. The people suffer.
THat is the same PM Skerrit who was proud of Baroness Scotland’s Confirmation as Secretary General of the Commonwealth, now he moo moo on the Baroness.
Sheesh while skerrit in Cuba, Timothy Harris in Qatar making strides for St.Kitts, now we see why St.Kitts doing so much better than Dominica, it is a question of leadership, skerrit too lazy & has no vision.
http://sknis.kn/prime-minister-builds-economic-relations-with-qatar-during-his-short-but-productive-stay/
Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris undertook a high-level visit to the Gulf Arab State of Qatar, during which he met in separate meetings the Qatar Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, HRH Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and the leading Qatar businessman and international iconic hotel property owner, H.E. Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani.
Aye las Eugenia turning in her grave, see what Dominica has come to
Dissident Jailed in Cuba For Refusing to Mourn Castro’s Death, Family Says
The daughter of a Cuban dissident says her father was beaten and taken to jail for refusing to mourn the death of Fidel Castro.
Elizabeth Pacheco tells NBC 6 Cuban government security officers warned Eduardo Pacheco, who leads a gathering of the Movimento Recuperacion Democratico, that he could not host his monthly meeting with the opposition organization because he is supposed to be in mourning.
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Dissident-Jailed-in-Cuba-For-Refusing-to-Mourn-Castros-Death-403684896.html
Skerrit cant tie Castro’s shoe lace
Continued…..
”For over fifty years, and with the support of friends, the Cuban revolution survived a harsh, western engineered economic and trade embargo that cost you, the Cuban people, billions of dollars…\”
This should read:
”For over Ten (10) suffering years, and with the support of corrupt friends, devious lawyers, the Dominican people continue with their revolution as we continue to survive a harsh, brutal, corrupt inward engineered economic and developmental embargo that cost us the Dominican people, billions of dollars…in questionable passport sales, frequent travels, exposed to weird questionable international cowboys and no account given of money earned to us the people of Dominica\”,.
Dominicans, copy this and share on social media. this must go viral
\”As for me, I have lost a friend and a great teacher. A man who had a genuine interest in the peculiar challenges besetting small island states and who readily assisted, not only in thought and talk, but in deed.\”
\”I have lost a friend my foot and great teacher my foot\”. Skerrit, this is what is referred to as an Oxymoron statement. You talk of one thing of value and you practice the opposite as an action of Hypocrisy. I believe you suffer from publicity syndrome, that is position yourself well where an opportunity reigns to be seen and heard, but appears no one take you words & blind sentiments seriously but with contempt, because you do not practice what you preach. your actions are despicable and you are no role model to the youth and people of Dominica.
People read this: \”For over fifty years, and with the support of friends, the Cuban revolution survived a harsh, western engineered economic and trade embargo that cost you, the Cuban people, billions of dollars…