**Customs Department Issues Apology for Controversial Facebook Post about Archbishop Makarios**
The Customs Department of Cyprus has issued an official apology following the accidental repost of an image related to Archbishop Makarios on its Facebook page. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has drawn significant attention and criticism on social media.
The repost in question featured a photograph of Archbishop Makarios delivering a speech to the UN Security Council on July 19, 1974, just hours before Turkish military forces landed on the island. Accompanying the image was the caption “the ultimate betrayal,” a phrase that reflects a long-standing critique of Makarios by some political factions. Critics have argued that his speech, which characterized the events of July 15, 1974, as an invasion by the Greek junta, effectively invited Turkey's military intervention in Cyprus.
The Customs Department attributed the repost to an accidental error by the page administrator, who was reportedly in the process of uploading information about a recent seizure of tobacco products at Larnaca airport. The department stated that the error was identified shortly after the post was made public, and immediate efforts were taken to remove it.
In a public statement, the Customs Department expressed its “sincere regret” over the incident, describing it as an “unfortunate republishing of a story by a specific political party.” However, the department did not disclose the identity of the political organization from which the post originated, nor did it indicate whether there would be any internal review following the incident.
The apology comes amid a backdrop of ongoing debates surrounding the legacy of Archbishop Makarios, who played a pivotal role in Cyprus's history. His critics have long maintained that his actions and rhetoric during the period leading up to the Turkish invasion contributed to the crisis that unfolded in 1974. This perspective has fueled ongoing discussions about national identity, historical interpretation, and political accountability in Cyprus.
The Customs Department's apology has been met with mixed reactions on social media, with some users expressing outrage over the repost while others defended the department, acknowledging the potential for errors in managing social media accounts. The incident highlights the challenges faced by public institutions in navigating sensitive historical topics, especially in a context as complex as that of Cyprus.
As the Customs Department moves forward, it remains to be seen whether any further actions will be taken in response to the incident or if additional measures will be implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future.