BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Embassy of the Republic of Cuba is mourning the passing of one of the country’s greatest revolutionary combatants, Juan Almeida Bosque, with a special condolence book.
Almeida, who served as Commander of the Cuban Revolution and Vice President of Cuba’s Council of State, died of a heart attack at the age 82 last Friday (Sep. 11). Since then, the Council of State decreed an official period of mourning until Sunday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m.
A memorial service held on Sunday (Sep. 13) brought together tens of thousands of government officials and citizens to pay their final tributes to the national icon.
In the Federation, the Embassy will offer citizens an opportunity to express their sympathy and pen their words of support for the fallen commander. The signing will be open on Thursday, September 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, September 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Resident Ambassador Her Excellency Ana Maria Gonzales Suarez called Almeida’s passing a “significant loss”, and noted that her country is currently in a period of mourning after losing a man of such great historical importance.
“He was one of the commanders of the Cuban Revolution and he has worked alongside Fidel Castro. He was a very humble man and we feel very sad because everybody loved him. It has been a big loss,” the Ambassador indicated.
Cuba has partnered with the Caribbean in a number of agricultural and educational initiatives, and has developed healthy diplomatic relations with the Federation. Members of the public are therefore asked to visit the Cuban Embassy at Taylors Range to sign the memorial.
According to the Ambassador, the book will be sent to the Cuban Protocol Division of Foreign Affairs Ministry to be saved and viewed by the people of Cuba.
