Under the watchful eye of extensive security measures and the radiant Jamaican sun, Cuban President Dr Fidel Castro arrived on Jamaican soil at the historic Victoria Pier, marking the commencement of his official visit to the island. A joyful crowd, permitted to gather near the pier in Kingston's Harbour Street, erupted in cheers as the Cuban leader descended from the ship. Security was exceptionally tight, with both local and Cuban security personnel stationed at strategic locations

Published Monday, October 17, 1977

Castro is here

-Security tight for Cuban head

Gleaner Political Reporter

IN AN ATMOSPHERE of tight security, relieved by clear, sunlit skies and the disarming smiles of government officials and diplomats, Cuban President Dr Fidel Castro stepped ashore yesterday at the historic Victoria Pier on his official visit to this island.

As the Cuban president, attired in army fatigues complete with military cap, emerged from the sleek 200–foot–long white and brown training ship of the Cuban merchant fleet ‘Jose Marti’, the first volley of a 21-gun salute rended the air.

He stepped down the side of the ship to the notes of the Cuban national anthem, played by the band of the First Battalion, Jamaica Regiment.  And, as he did so, cheers went up from the gathering of people who had been allowed to stand near the side of the pier in the centre of Kingston's Harbour Street.

Cuban security men

So tight was the security, that not only did members of the local public stand guard at the pier and its precincts, but several Cuban security personnel could also be seen standing guard at strategic points.  And from atop the high buildings facing the pier – the Scotia Bank building Inter Continental Hotel, U.D.C. building and the apartment building – armed soldiers of the local Military stood poised for action.

President Castro was greeted by Governor-General the Most Hon. Florizel Glasspole, who introduced him to Prime Minister Michael Manley.

After being warmly welcomed by the prime minister, the visiting Cuban leader was introduced to members of the Cabinet, members of Parliament from the government side and members of the diplomatic corps.  Also in the welcome party were members of the judiciary.

Opposition absent

Notably absent was the Opposition, which had earlier announced that it would boycott the Cuban leader’s visit.

With the exception of the Reverend Ernle Gordon, members of the Church were also absent.

After the formal welcome and introductions, Dr Castro was escorted by Prime Minister Manley down the side of the jetty into the foyer.  There, the visiting Cuban leader introduced members of his entourage to Manley and members of the Jamaican Cabinet.

From the pier, Dr Castro was escorted to a saluting dais on the east side, where he took the salute of a guard of honour of the First Battalion, the Jamaica Regiment.  Immediately he mounted the dais and gave the salute, the band played the Cuban national anthem.

‘We want Fidel’

In military style, Dr Castro inspected the guard which was commanded by Major Ian Robinson.  He returned to the saluting dais and received the salute.

As the Cuban president walked from the dais across Ocean Boulevard into the square to accompany the governor-general to his car. The large crowd which packed both sides of lower King Street and perched on the top of the buildings in the square burst into cheering and waved flags.

“We want Fidel, We want Fidel,” they chanted.

In a moment, however, the Cuban president and Prime Minister Manley were escorted to a waiting car, in which they left at the head of a motorcade.

Even though the route of the motorcade was unannounced, large crowds of people line King Street, from the pier to Parade Gardens and at other points.  The motorcade travelled up King Street, west along Parade, North Parade, East Parade into East Queen Street and up Duke Street to National Heroes’ Park.

At the park, he laid wreaths at the shrines of Paul Bogle, the Jamaica National Hero and Antonio Maceo, the Cuban patriot.

At the shrines and the entrances to the park, a considerable number of police stood guard.  However, there were very few spectators as the ceremony had not been publicly announced.

The motorcade headed north along Marescaux Road after leaving the park, but it was not known where its destination was.

Order of Jamaica

Last night, Dr Castro was decorated with the Order of Jamaica by the governor-general in a ceremony at King’s House.

Today, he will address the Mass Rally at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay.  The rally begins at 4.30 p.m.

Travelling with Dr Castro were Sr Carlos Rafael Rodriques, vice president of the Council of State responsible for Foreign Relations; Dr Armando Hart, Minister of Culture and Member of the Polit Bureau with responsibility for the Americas; Sr Rafael Francia Mestie, Minister of Agriculture; Sr A. Naranjo, Mini er of the Food Processing Industry; Sr Julio Camacho Aguilers, First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party in the Province of Pina del Rio; Sr Teofilo Stevenson, Cuban boxing champion and Member of the National Assembly; Sr Osmany Cienfuegos, Executive Secretary of the Council of Ministers; and Sr. Nicholas Guillen, National Poet and Member of the Central Committee.

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