H.G. HELPS

Former Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller has been honoured by the Government of Cuba with the prestigious Medal of Friendship, for what the Spanish-speaking, Caribbean island described as her tremendous contribution and unwavering support to that nation.

Simpson Miller, who turns 80 on December 12 of this year, has been battling the brain disorder, dementia, and has been largely away from the public spotlight since the People’s National Party, which she once led, lost the 2016 general election to the Jamaica Labour Party. She served as prime minister from 2006 to 2007, and then from 2011 to 2016.

On Wednesday, September 17, Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, Fermin Quinones, presented the medal to Simpson Miller’s husband, Errald Miller, retired President of Cable and Wireless Jamaica, at the embassy in New Kingston, as Simpson Miller was unable to attend.

She became the fourth Jamaican to receive the honour, following earlier recognition of Professor Norman Girvan, Matthias Brown, and Keith Ellis.  

Ambassador Quinones was assured by Miller that he would pin the medal on its rightful owner “as soon as I get home.”

The ambassador, who has headed Cuba’s diplomatic mission in Kingston for four years, said that it was a fitting gesture for Jamaica’s sole woman prime minister.

“The history of Jamaica recounts the glory of women and men, leaders in their time, who fought with the strength of their ideas or their arms against the colonial regime, slavery, racism or for the independence and sovereignty of the island,” the ambassador said during the pinning ceremony. “The Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, former prime minister of Jamaica, affectionately called Sista P, is one of those persons who has left her mark in modern Jamaican history.

“From a young age as a youth leader, Portia forged a path of love, friendship, and solidarity between Jamaica and Cuba, strengthening the bonds between our peoples through concrete actions. Her admiration for the Cuban Revolution and the example it set, left an indelible mark on her development as a future Jamaica leader.

“From the position of prime minister, she strongly contributed to strengthening the historical relations between our peoples, highlighting the areas of health, education, sports, and agriculture. Today, we can say that she has always been an impeccable friend of Cuba,” Quinones stated.

The senior diplomat underscored that Simpson Miller would always defend just causes and never yield to pressure, even under tough circumstances. He highlighted Simpson Miller’s role in always calling for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba, which he said would continue to resonate in the halls of the United Nations.

“Portia visited Cuba on several occasions. In 2008, as leader of the PNP, she headed a party delegation that held meetings with various organisations. In 2014, during the Fifth Cuba-Caricom Summit, held in Havana, she highlighted the role played by Cuban collaboration in the development of sports in Jamaica, through GC Foster College (of Physical Education and Sport),” the ambassador continued.

“Her friendship with Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and Army General Raúl Castro was profound. Portia was among several world leaders who attended Fidel’s funeral. Portia recognised the Cuban rebel leader’s humility and his struggle for Cuba’s social and economic revolution. In her farewell words after the death of the leader of the Revolution, she said, ‘Jamaica has been one of the nations that has benefited greatly from the kindness of the Cuban people under the leadership of former President Fidel Castro. Many of our best doctors were trained free of charge in Cuba, and countless Cuban doctors, nurses and other health professionals have continued to share their knowledge in Jamaican hospitals, health centres and communities,” Ambassador Quinones highlighted.

He said that Portia was among those who refused to close her eyes to the people’s pain, and would always recognise their achievements and selfless help.

“Honour to whom honour is due,” Quinones said. “In my capacity as Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Jamaica, it is with great pride that I present, on behalf of my Government, the ‘Medal of Friendship’ awarded by Presidential Decree number 1039 of July 10, 2025 of the President of the Republic of Cuba, at the proposal of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, to the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, former prime minister of Jamaica.

“The distinction reflects the feelings of an entire people in recognition of her history of solidarity with Cuba and her contribution and unconditional commitment to the defence of the Cuban Revolution, peace, and the sovereignty and independence of peoples,” Quinones stated.

Miller thanked the Cuban Government, and revealed how he held the Socialist nation in high esteem. 

“I have never seen a country and a people that have so little and give so much,” he said. “I went to Cuba once, and I was treated like family, and as I listened to the ambassador speaking about Portia, I could just see her in action. Thank you for recognising and honouring her,” Miller said.