Guyana Marks 48th Anniversary of Cubana Air Disaster

Guyana marked the 48th anniversary of the Cubana Air Disaster, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Caribbean. On October 6, 1976, Cubana Airways Flight CU-455 was en route from Guyana to Havana, Cuba, with planned stops in Trinidad, Barbados, and Jamaica.

Tragically, just nine minutes after taking off from Barbados’ Seawell International Airport, two bombs detonated on board, causing the plane to crash into the Atlantic Ocean. All 73 individuals on board—57 Cubans, 11 Guyanese, and five North Koreans—lost their lives in the disaster, many of whom were traveling to Cuba to study fields such as medicine and engineering.

At the commemoration ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd emphasized that the past 48 years have strengthened Guyana’s determination to promote peace in the region. He highlighted that the monument honoring those innocent lives serves as a solemn reminder of the need to intensify efforts against all threats to humanity.