In the aftermath of Friday’s explosion at the Saratoga Hotel which is known to have led to the deaths of over 30 people and left dozens injured, several countries are expressing solidarity with the government of Cuba.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba, and offered any assistance Barbados can render:
“Let me first express my sincere regret, great sadness and solidarity with you regarding the unfortunate gas-related explosion which took place in the centre of your lovely city Havana earlier today. I have heard the media reports, with accompanying frightening images, that confirm loss of life and great damage done,” said Mottley in a letter dispatched too Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.
“Let me assure you that Barbados stands ready to give any assistance you may need as you attend to this matter and I wish you every success in your response actions.”
Barbados has maintained a friendship with Cuba, having established diplomatic relations 50 years ago.
There are current more than 100 Cuban nurses and doctors working to with local authorities to combat COVID-19.
On Saturday, the President of Bolivia,Luis Alberto Arce Catacora, President of Bolivia, expressed on Twitter his solidarity with President Miguel Díaz-Canel and the Cuban people following the accident, that has been attributed to a gas leak.
“Our solidarity with brother President @DiazCanelB and with the Cuban people for the explosion that occurred in the Saratoga Hotel, which left dead and dozens injured. We send our condolences to the families of the victims and all our support. Strength #Cuba.”
Felix Plasencia, Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, expressed also deep sorrow, on behalf of the people and government of the Bolivarian nation.
“Go to the People and Government of Cuba, and to the families and relatives of the victims, the solidarity of the Bolivarian Venezuela!!!”.
Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, regretted the event, expressed his solidarity with the victims and their families and asserted that President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s visit to Cuba, set for this weekend, is still on.
The planned tour continues as planned, said Ebrard in reference to López Obrador’s current tour of Central America and the Caribbean, which includes a working visit to the Cuban capital on Sunday.
“I regret the explosion at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana, Cuba. Our solidarity to the victims and those affected as well as to the people of that dear brother nation. The planned tour continues as planned.”
Ma Hui, Chinese ambassador to Cuba, extended the deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this tragic event.
Our hearts are broken, he said.
Manu Pineda, Member of the European Parliament, also expressed his opinion on the incident and sent all his affection and solidarity to the Cuban people in general and to the families and friends of the victims in particular.
On Friday, Cuban President President Diaz-Canel visited the site of the explosion and the Hermanos Ameijeras hospital.
He stated that said the explosion was “not a bomb nor an attack, it’s a regrettable accident.”
The Saratoga hotel was built at the end of the 19th century and, by the 1930s, it was one of the most important hotels in the city. It has 96 rooms since reopening in 2005 after refurbishment.
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