Kingston, August 17 (RHC)-- The Cuban solidarity movement in Jamaica paid tribute to the leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro, on the 94th anniversary of his birth, by organizing a political-cultural forum virtually on the occasion of COVID-19.

The online activity brought together 20 speakers who highlighted the Commander in Chief's impact in the world and demanded an end to the U.S. blockade of the island.

Led by Trevor Brown, president of the Friendship Association, the tribute featured solidarity figures such as Hope McNish, head of the Jamaican Peace Council, and Pambana Gutto Basset, a social leader and internationalist intellectual who graduated from Jamaica.

During the evening, messages of friendship were expressed by former Jamaican Prime Minister Percival James Patterson; the Hero of the Republic of Cuba Fernando González Llort; the Vice President of the Association of Cuban Residents, Osvaldo Cárdenas and the founder of the Institute of Union Education and the National Dance and Theatre Company of Jamaica, Rex Nettleford.

Messages of solidarity were also sent by the head of the Cuban health mission in Jamaica, José Armando Arronte, a participant in the fight against Ebola in Africa and current member of the internationalist medical contingent Yomch Sao; and Ambassador Inés Fors, who was in charge of the closing remarks.

In the speeches, participants praised the life of leader Fidel Castro and of gratitude for the altruistic work of the Cuban Revolution -- in particular the work of the medical brigades in the most remote corners of the world.