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CARICOM Honorary Order conferred
to Fidel

José Antonio Torres

Santiago de Cuba.— The governments of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have conferred the organization’s Honorary Order on Comandante Fidel Castro in recognition of his irreproachable human conduct and unconditional support for the region’s progress and wellbeing.

CARICOM Honorary Order conferredPresident Raúl Castro received the award on behalf of the leader of the Cuban Revolution during the closing ceremony of the 3rd Cuba-CARICOM Summit, which took place in the Melía-Santiago Hotel’s Sierra Maestra Hall in the Heroic City.

The second secretary of the Party expressed his thanks on behalf of Fidel for such a significant and distinguished honor, by saying "it is something that further commits our loyalty and gratitude to our Caribbean heritage and roots."

Baldwin Spencer, president of the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference, confirmed that in this way, the peoples and leaders have bestowed the highest decoration of the regional bloc on comrade Fidel, the very first person outside of the CARICOM to receive it.

In the opinion of the likewise prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Order pays tribute to the fervor, passion and sacrifice that have accompanied Fidel throughout a life dedicated to serving his country, his region, and the rest of the developing world.

The Honorary Order of the Caribbean Community is presented in exceptional circumstances to those who have offered their services in an outstanding way and have made significant contributions to the region.

The temporary president of the Caribbean organization noted that throughout the years, Fidel has cultivated and nourished a strong relationship with CARICOM, based on friendship, good will and mutual respect and solidarity.

He stated that during the 3rd Cuba-CARICOM Summit, the leaders fully and profoundly deliberated their responsibilities and announced the next Summit, scheduled for 2011 in Trinidad & Tobago.

Patrick Manning, prime minister of Trinidad & Tobago, expressed his nation’s pleasure at being selected as the venue for the next meeting.

During the closing ceremony of the 3rd Summit, Raúl asked the dignitaries to transmit the warmest greetings of their Cuban brothers and sisters to their peoples, from the Heroic City, a region that, like the rest of the country, is determined to overcome current economic challenges, improve development and continue to defend at any price the right of human beings to full justice and dignity.

Translated by Granma International