Perhaps counting down the days to his departure, Panamanian Ambassador Ricardo Moreno (left) hobnobs with Brazilian Ambassador Alexander Gueiros (right) and Luz Santamaria. - Photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer
You know that you've been a great friend and comrade when the people who know you jostle to throw you a party.
That's how Ambassador of Panama Ricardo Moreno must feel after some of his colleagues threw an informal farewell party for him on Thursday, April 2. Ambassador Moreno explained that because he was not a career diplomat (but rather a political appointee), his term ends when there's a change of government. A new president will be sworn in by July so he will have to leave his post. So, if it seems that this farewell is a little premature, it's because Dominican Republic Ambassador Filomena Navarro wanted to be the first to throw a farewell for her "best friend".
"He's an amazing human being," she said in her few words, revealing that they were both posted in Jamaica within a few weeks of each other in 2005. She said his advice and his friendship were precious, and which the others in attendance were quick to agree. But though it was 'informal' that didn't stop the diplomats (most of them from Latin American and Caribbean countries) from doing a little 'jigging' to the soft salsa and meringue in the background.
Guests out included Cuban Ambassador Gisela Garcia and daughter, Betty; Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley and wife, Jo Ann; Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva and wife, Sara; Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner Yvonne Gittens-Joseph; Chilean Ambassador Alfredo Garcia and wife, Luz Santamaria; Miss Jamaica Universe April Jackson and UNESCO's Pedro Monreal.
daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com
Dominican Republic Ambassador Filomena Navarro (left) makes the rounds like any good host with Argentine Fanny Pino (centre) and Jo Ann Kingsley, representing Canada.
Honduran Ambassador Jose Eduardo Norris gets into the groove with Jo Ann Kingsley at the send-off reception for the Ambassador of Panama at the Embassy of the Dominican Republic.
The three amigos (from left), Colombian Ambassador Dr Emilio Ventura Diaz Mejia, Chilean Ambassador Alfredo Garcia and Argentine Ambassador Mario Pino hang out at the send-off reception for the ambassador of Panama.
Diplomatic couple Madai Hernandez (left) and Marcelo Munoz (centre), lyme with Haitian chargé d'affaires Max Alce.