HE came bearing a message of solidarity and brotherhood to the government and people of Saint Lucia, and when he left approximately four hours later it was with a feeling that projects here that are funded by his government, such as the NICE Programme, will receive continued assistance.
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro touched down at Vigie Airport Saturday shortly after noon amid tight security and was immediately whisked away to Government House for a short meeting with Gorvernor General Dame Pearlette Louisy. After that meeting he was driven to the official residence of the Prime Minister for yet another short meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and his Cabinet of Ministers, and addressed a specially called joint sitting of Parliament shortly after.
His visit to Saint Lucia was part of a whirlwind tour of the Caribbean that included Suriname, Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda.
In Antigua it was announced that that country’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne and Maduro had agreed to work in various areas of cooperation.
In Grenada it was announced that Venezuela would fund the construction of a new eye clinic, and in Saint Lucia he left a message of unity, brotherhood, cooperation and understanding that Saint Lucia and Venezuela are sibling countries with a common purpose of helping each other.
“Came here to consolidate our brotherhood of solidarity and unity between Venezuela and Saint Lucia; we feel that the peoples of the Caribbean are our brothers and our sisters with whom we have to build a common path,” Maduro told reporters at the Prime Minister’s official residence.
The two leaders, in a short private meeting, discussed the need to consolidate and expand on their cooperation and on projects that have been successful to date.
Maduro called for priority to be given to children in the field of education and young people in the area of culture.
“We need now to create an economic team whose task will be to further investments in trade…” Maduro said.
Amid a packed gathering at the Prime Minister’s official residence, President Maduro erased whatever fears there may have been regarding the areas of cooperation between the two countries when he told Dr. Anthony that he could always rely on Venezuela’s support and solidarity.
Maduro’s message of brotherhood and solidarity was carried over to the joint sitting of parliament. However, he urged that the cooperation, solidarity and continued strengthening of projects between the two countries cannot happen if they were separated.
Maduro envisioned a Caribbean zone of peace, prosperity and development since citing the countries as sister nations that share a single identity.
“We need to base our relations on the principles of equality, respect, trust and solidarity,” Maduro said, adding that Latin America and the Caribbean can create a region of peace if they unite, although there are still several things that need to be done.
His parting words to both sides of the House was that they can count on Venezuela’s total love and solidarity since his reason for coming here was to learn and to give.
