SELA expresses its solidarity with Cuba after tragedy in Saratoga Hotel in Havana

The Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) expresses its condolences and solidarity with the Government of Cuba and its people in view of the explosion that occurred on Friday, 6 May, at the emblematic Saratoga Hotel in Havana and left dozens of people dead and injured, in addition to significant material losses.

The Permanent Secretary of SELA, Ambassador Clarems Endara, expressed his solidarity with Cuba, a Member State of the organisation, hoping that the sister island will overcome this unfortunate tragedy.

On Friday morning, an explosion occurred at the Saratoga Hotel, leaving nine people dead, 13 missing and 40 hospitalised. The explosion caused part of the building's front to collapse, especially affecting the first and second floors of the hotel, although there is serious damage to the entire infrastructure.

The Saratoga is a five-star hotel, considered one of the most luxurious in Havana, and is housed in a neoclassical building built in 1880, which has been operating as a hotel since 1933.