Colombian ambassador departs

Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

You wouldn't know that it was a farewell as the guest of honour's smile was as huge as ever.

Colombian Ambassador Dr Ventura Emilio Diaz Mejia bid adiós at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Tuesday. The ambassador said he would return to his hometown of Barranquilla on Saturday. It's on the coast with the Caribbean Sea, making him, as he said, "a Caribbean man!" He gushed about the "four marvellous years", as ambassador, saying it gave him the opportunity to learn more about the region. He expressed many thanks to his colleagues for all the courtesies given to him; to his fellow Colombians, for their support and for continuing to fly the flag high; and to co-workers at the embassy, for their co-operation.

He said Jamaica had changed his life. No matter where he goes, he asks for "wata", and he doesn't say "yes, sir", it's all about "yeah man!" Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Dr Ken Baugh said Ambassador Mejia had brought both countries closer. He said he loved the generosity of the South American nation's government including the donation of cultivars of cassava. He joked that the ambassador could probably teach his people how to make bammies. Mejia also has a radio talk show in Colombia, prompting Dr Baugh to hope aloud that he had learned a few things from our 'reputable' hosts. Ambassador Mejia then admonished everyone to party because "tomorrow (Ash Wednesday) was a holiday!"

Guests out included: Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez, Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua, Belgian Ambassador Frederic Meurice, Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Yamaguchi and wife Yoko, Nigerian High Commissioner Peter Oyedele and wife Deborah, Ramon and Deidre Corvera, Maria Pinchin, Madai Hernandez and Marcelo Munoz, Annette Insanally, Hugh and Ouida Dunphy, Mark and Betty McKenzie, Angela Gray and Dr Adolfo Mena.