On this day in 1976, a despicable act of violence was carried out against Bob Marley, his wife Rita, and his manager in an assassination attempt that shook the world. The cowardly attack, widely believed to have been orchestrated by the CIA, was a blatant display of the lengths to which imperialist powers would go to suppress any form of resistance to their oppressive agenda.
The timing of the shooting, just days before Marley’s Smile Jamaica concert, speaks volumes about the sinister motives behind this heinous act. The concert, intended to bring people together and promote peace during a politically charged time in Jamaica, was sabotaged by those who sought to maintain their grip on power at any cost.
The involvement of the CIA in this cowardly attack is not surprising, given their track record of meddling in the affairs of sovereign nations to further their own interests. The targeting of Michael Manley’s progressive government, which dared to stand up to US imperialism and advocate for the rights of the Jamaican people, is a clear indication of the lengths to which the CIA would go to protect their own interests.
The revelations that emerged during the trial of the gunmen, including their confession that they were hired by the CIA in exchange for weapons and drugs, only serve to confirm what many already suspected. The CIA’s hand in this attempted assassination is a stain on the history of the United States and a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and imperialism.
As we reflect on this dark chapter in history, let us not forget the courage and resilience of Bob Marley, who continued to spread his message of peace and unity despite the threats against him. Let us also remember the victims of the CIA’s covert war in Jamaica and stand in solidarity with all those who continue to resist imperialism and fight for justice.