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Archives Flashback: Fidel Castro’s visit to Jamaica, October 1977

Published:Saturday | October 23, 2021 | 12:06 AM
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Cuba’s President Dr Fidel Castro, inspecting the guard of honour of the First Battalion, The Jamaica Regiment. Escorting him on the inspection was Major-General Rudolph Green, Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force.
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Dr Fidel Castro prepares to plant a mango tree at the Karachi Urban Farm, off Mona Road in Kingston on October 19, 1977.
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Dr Fidel Castro of Cuba breaks ground on October 18, 1977, for the construction of 188 two-bedroom houses at Mount Salem in Montego Bay.
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Dr Fidel Castro greets a female employer at Reynolds Jamaican Mines during a tour of that organisation on October 18, 1977
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Dr Fidel Castro is cheered by the crowd which gathered at Victoria Square on Ocean Boulevard during the official welcoming ceremony on October 16, 1977. He is being escorted to a waiting car. At left is Prime Minister Michael Manley, who escorted the President.
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From left to right; Dr Fidel Castro, Governor General Sir Florizel Glasspole and Prime Minister Michael Manley, share a moment of humour at King’s House when the Governor General conferred the Order of Jamaica on the Cuban leader. At extreme right is interpreter Miss Parthe Edwards.
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Cuban President, Dr Fidel Castro, waving to the cheering crowd, at the Victoria Pier in Kingston, on his arrival in Jamaica on October 16, 1977.
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Dr Fidel Castro (centre) being given a welcome handshake by American Ambassador, Mr Frederick Irving, when members of the Diplomatic Corps were introduced to him by Prime Minister Michael Manley, shortly after he stepped ashore at the Victoria Pier on October 16, 1977, on his official visit to Jamaica. At left are other members of the Diplomatic Corps.
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Dr Fidel Castro (left) receiving the Order of Jamaica, from Governor General Sir Florizel Glasspole at a ceremony at King’s House.
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Prime Minister Michael Manley (left), applauds as Cuban President Dr Fidel Castro concluded his 90-minute address to the vast crowd which attended the Mass Rally on National Heroes’ Day at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay.
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Laying a wreath at the statue of Cuban patriot, Antonio Maceo at National Heroes Park on October 16, 1977, on his journey from the Victoria Pier.
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Dr. Fidel Castro (second left), emphasing a point during the press conference he gave at the Pegasus Hotel, shortly before he departed at the end of his six-day official visit. Others from left are Senor Juanito Ortega, interpreter, P.J. Patterson, Foreign Minister and Arnold Bertram, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office with responsibility for Information and Culture.
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Cuban President, Dr Fidel Castro, visited Jamaica in October 1977. He arrived on the island on October 16. There was tight security at the airport, which was relieved by clear, sunlit skies, and the disarming smiles of government officials and diplomats. Here are some photo highlights of his visit.

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