Minister and General agree both countries are victims of the drug trade and should cooperate against the common enemy
SAINT LUCIA and Venezuela have agreed they are both victims of the drug trade and should cooperate against that common enemy. As a result, the two countries have agreed to sign an extradition treaty and sign a security-related Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to activate and enhance the greater level of cooperation needed in that regard.
That’s one of the main conclusions following a visit here by a high-level Venezuelan delegation last week Thursday (August 16, 2018) for National Security talks with the Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and National Security Minister Senator Hermangild Francis.
According to a press release issued over the weekend, “The meetings were deemed to be very fruitful and have paved the way for further collaboration between Saint Lucia and Venezuela, as both states will work closely to tackle the issues of the drug trade linked to the impact of other crimes such as the possession of illegal guns that plague both the Eastern Caribbean islands and the South American state.”
The release said the head of the visiting delegation and Vice Minister for Prevention and Citizen Security, General Endes Jose Palencia Ortiz, “noted that both Saint Lucia and Venezuela are victims of the drug trade.”
It continued, “The official explained that Venezuela is plagued with similar issues because it is used as a bridge between Colombia — which is the biggest producer of illegal drugs sharing over 2,200 kilometers of border with Venezuela — and the United States, as the largest consumer of illegal drugs.”
“Therefore,” the release continued, “the Venezuelan Government understands how demanding the fight against drugs can be and for this there are public policies which have allowed for an increase in yearly drug seizures.”
The statement reported that the General said, “Prevention must be considered. Strengthening of intelligence, co-operation and mechanisms for making security integral to the region.”
He also assured that “Venezuela will consider every proposal and recommendation that has been put on the table.”
According to the statement, “Minister Francis is pleased with the direction that Saint Lucia and Venezuela relations is taking and has pointed to the signing of an Extradition Treaty and a MOU between the two countries as key next-steps carded for the near future.”