FUNEMA International, led by its president, Limber Antonio Redondo de Armas, organized an event to celebrate World Environment Day, inviting everyone interested in caring for and protecting our planet.
Ambassador Luis Suárez Hernández and Dayamy Rodríguez Aponte from Miami, United States, were among the prominent figures invited to the celebration for their work in environmental preservation.
Regarding the importance of the event, Suárez invited other countries to join in supporting the organization’s good cause. Such countries as El Salvador, represented by Jorge Ernesto González Segura, and Gustavo Filamir Pisco Vinces from Ecuador were also present. Officials from other countries, including the Dominican Republic, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Cameroon, Finland, and Argentina, were also present.
The event took place at the Casa de Hadas Hotel in Santa Marta, Sierra Nevada, Colombia, a venue chosen for its natural setting.
At the ceremony, the Dominican Republic’s Deputies were recognized with the Green Medal.
For the first time, FUNEMA INTERNATIONAL has awarded the “Key to the Sierra Nevada” recognition, which was bestowed upon Ambassador Luis Suárez Hernández, Prince of Bantú, Cameroonian Dr. Jeans Louis Bigna, César Bateman Romero, and Juan Carlos Borrero.
Dayamy Rodríguez, Founder and Executive Director of the Suarez Museum of Natural Science & History, and Ambassador Luis Suarez Hernández, President and Curator, honored Dr. Lena Yanina Estrada Añokazi, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, with the Presidential Plaque. Limber Antonio Redondo de Armas, Founding President of Funema International, Dr. Vicente Orozco, Vice President of the Latino Canadian Chamber of Commerce/British Colombia Chapter, Carmen Alicia Rivera de Ochoa, Former First Lady of Valledupar, Colombia, Dr. Ricardo Chagin, Mayor and Former Congressman of Colombia, and Dr. Jeans Louis Bigna, Prince of Bantú, Cameroon, with recognition.
Guests had the opportunity to visit El Mirador de Copete Negro, the Minca Technical Educational Institution, Chlorophonia la Tagua Hostel and Restaurant, the SE Cultural Center Library, and the largest coat of arms of the Sierra Nevada, Colombia.
Everyone was impressed by the natural beauty and the special attention of the people in charge of each destination, where they were able to taste different traditional dishes, including delicious Colombian coffee.
The delegation from different countries interacted with Indigenous ethnic groups such as the Wiwa, one of the four indigenous peoples who inhabit the Sierra Nevada in Santa Marta, Colombia. Their name, which means “person of warm land,” reflects their traditional settlement in the lower, warm areas of the mountains.
The Wiwas, also known as Adzario or Sajas, have maintained a rich cultural and spiritual tradition, including their own language called Damana, an ancestral language belonging to the Chibcha linguistic family.
Ambassador Suárez stated that visiting Colombia, highlighting the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, has emblematic places of great interest, and its culture allowed him to experience sensations that led him to new ways of continuing to work for environmental conservation. Having contact with people from different countries and cultures taught him once again how borders are merely barriers. The Sierra Nevada does this by covering us with magic, so we don’t forget that the conservation of our environment is the lung that gives life to the planet.
Ambassador Suárez, representing the organizations he represents, presented donations to children in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Without a doubt, this was the most important objective, and in celebration of World Environment Day, several trees were planted, including avocado, mango, and coffee.
A thank you for his professionalism, excellent work and attention provided by Colonel Jaime Hernán Rios Puerto, Commander of the Metropolitan Police of Santa Marta throughout the tour and stay of the guests in Colombia. One of the authorities who undoubtedly provided his support was Juan Carlos Romo, Mayor of Altos de Rosario Sur de Bolívar 2024-2027.
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