Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter
Mexican Ambassador Lenora Rueda embraces Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva after pinning the Orden Mexicana del Aguila Azteca on him.- photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
The poolside was well lit with pepper lights. Women were elegantly clad in little black dresses and brightly coloured gowns. As for the men, suits were the order of the day.
Number 9 Cherry Gardens Avenue had come alive. They all came out to celebrate with him. The man of the hour - Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva.
The night of Friday, April 27, was another significant milestone for the Spanish Ambassador, who was awarded the Orden Mexicana del Aguila Azteca (The decoration of the order of the Aztec Eagle) by Mexican Ambassador H.E. Leonora Rueda.
highest decoration
The Orden Mexicana del Aguila Azteca is the highest decoration awarded to foreign nationals in reward for services given to Mexico or humankind.
The award was to mark the efforts by Ambassador Silva to renew the ties between Mexico and Spain while he was based in Mexico as Director General for Cultural and Scientific Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Spain.
Giving a brief history on the battle between the Aztecs and the Spanish, Ambassador Rueda had this to say.
"For this, Mexico and Spain are linked by indissoluble ties based on a shared culture, respect and understanding between our countries.
"Because of his efforts and interest, Mexico was the honour country invited to the international contemporary fair of art that was held in Madrid in 2005 ... For this and many other efforts that he displayed with my country during his former post, the Government of Mexico decided to award the Order of the Aztec Eagle to Ambassador Jesus Silva," Ambassador Rueda continued.
In response, Ambassador Silva expressed his appreciation for the honour bestowed on him.
Mexico, Spain and Jamaica, he said, have many similarities.
"We have rediscovered each other in sisterhood and brotherhood ... I think it is very nice that this honour has been given in Jamaica, I am especially pleased and honoured," Ambassador Silva said.
Many congratulatory hugs and kisses soon followed.
Those who attended include: Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall and his wife Rheima, Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley and wife Jo-Ann, United States Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson, Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva, Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Obata and his wife Hiroko, Brazilian Ambassador Cezar Amaral, Honduran Ambassador Jose Edurado Norris M., Russian Ambassador Victor Zotim, British High Commissioner Jeremy Creswell and Dr. Barbara Munske, Clelia Barreto De Hunter, Honorary Council of Equador to Jamaica, Ambassador Maxine Robertson, Ambassador Madge Barrett and Tunti Barrett.
Also in attendance were: Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, His Excellency Chinese Ambassador Zhao Zhenyu, Colombian Ambassador Ventura Emilio Dias, Cuban Ambassador Gisela Beatriz Garcia Rivera, Head of missions at the Haitian Embassy Max Alci, the Hilton's Ron Kelly and wife Bonnie, businessman Chris Bovel and wife Michelle, businessman William McConnell, businessman Jonathan Greenland and his wife, Jamaica's football coach Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, businessman William Tavares-Finson, UNDP's representative Juan Carlos Espinola, director of UNESCO's Jamaican office Kwame Boafo, businessman Charles Johnston, group managing director of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, businessman George Fatta, businessman Dr. Oswald Harding and wife Marigold Harding, businesswoman Thalia Lyn and businessman Joseph A. Matalon.
