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May 19^th, 2018

 

On behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris expresses heartfelt condolences and support for the Republic of Cuba and its people after a Boeing 737 leased by state airline Cubana de Aviación crashed near the country’s main airport in Havana yesterday, Friday, May 18^th, 2018, leaving more than 100 people dead.    

“Please accept our deepest and sincerest sympathy.  We pray for the bereaved families and loved ones of the persons who were killed in the plane crash, and our thoughts and prayers also go out to the three female survivors who are said to be in critical condition,” Prime Minister Harris said yesterday.

The Honourable Prime Minister added, “My Government and I take this opportunity to record our immense appreciation to the Republic of Cuba for its invaluable assistance to St. Kitts and Nevis and CARICOM in healthcare and education.”

The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis further stated, “For instance, thousands of people across the entire Caribbean have benefited from free eye surgery through Cuba’s Operation Miracle programme developed in collaboration with Venezuela, and Cuba provides scholarships to our Nationals to pursue studies in critical fields such as Health Technologies, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and Medicinal Sciences.”   

Prime Minister Harris continued, “Indeed, St. Kitts and Nevis boasts a cadre of professionals – a majority of whom are medical practitioners – who are beneficiaries of the goodwill of the Republic of Cuba and the late Fidel Castro Ruz.  Today, we have some 40 students being trained in Cuban universities.  President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his government and people therefore have our full assurance that we will support them in any way we can.”

Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris also conveys sincere condolences to the government of Mexico and its people who are grieving the loss of five crew members on board who were Mexican nationals.

“Strong ties of friendship and cooperation have united St. Kitts-Nevis and Mexico since we established diplomatic relations in July 1990,” Prime Minister Harris said.  

“The people of St. Kitts and Nevis stand with the people of Cuba and the people of Mexico during this difficult time,” the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis added.