The Heroes From Barbados. Cubana de Aviación Flight 455
Cuban-American affairs are marked by very tragic events mostly for the Caribbean country. It is definitely not easy to be situated next to America and not be “a good neighbour”. During the 70s of the past century, Cuba took part in the rivalry between Angola and South Africa on the side of Angola, while the continent was supported by the USA and its allies. Cuba uses its civilian aviation to transport soldiers to Angola which becomes a thorn in America’s side and so they take all legal (and illegal) measures to stop the Cubans.
On the 6th of October 1976, the regular flight by Cubana De Aviacion from Barbados to Jamaica with final destination – Havanа sinks into the sea because of two bombs on board. The passengers are mostly “golden generation” talented Cubans from the national fencing team, who win all the gold medals of the continental competition in Latin America. This is the biggest airplane crash in the Caribbean region so far.
The monument of the Flight 455 victims
According to the American sources, it was “a tragic accident”, however, all independent investigations reveal that it was “an act of revenge” by the CIA, as well as an unfriendly attack on the Civil Cuban Aviation aimed at stopping the transportation of Cuban soldiers to Angola. Unfortunately, innocent Cuban civilians are bound to pay the price…
The evidence that the assault was implemented by CIA is the declassified documents in 2005, which confirm that the Americans had known about the assault but did nothing to stop it.
The tragic event sets a new period of crisis between Cuba And America. The assault itself is conducted by the Venezuela Fredi Lugo and Ernan Lucano who depart the plane’s board in Barbados, despite having checked in for Havanа. They manage to hide the bombs – plastic explosives substance C4, in a toothpaste tube and activated them through a clock mechanism after departing the plane. They make the mistake to discuss in Spanish where they have put the explosives, while the taxi driver listening to them knew their language although Barbados is an English-speaking country. The terrorists had fake passports and were hired by Cuban immigrants – the CIA agents Orlando Bosch Avila and Luis Posada Carriles. During the investigation, Lugo and Lucano confess that the agents pay the 25 000 USD each.
Despite being sued, they come under amnesty in 1980 and are dismissed.
Near Cienfuegos along to way to Luna Farm, there is a village called The heroes of Barbados.
