Saint Lucia’s Venezuelan Embassy Opens Book of Condolences to Honour Victims of U.S. Attack on Venezuela

In a powerful tribute to the men and women—both civilians and military—who lost their lives as a result of the United States Government’s attack on Venezuela on January 3, the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Saint Lucia took decisive action by opening a Book of Condolences from January 13 to 16.

This crucial initiative commemorated the fighters and took place amid the seven days of national mourning declared in Venezuela. The opening ceremony, led by Ambassador Leiff Escalona, was attended by representatives from the accredited diplomatic corps on the island.

On the first day, the Cuban Ambassador to Saint Lucia, Yenielys Vilma Regueiferos Linares, along with her team, signed the Book of Condolences, demonstrating unwavering solidarity with the Venezuelan people. This act served as a critical space for collective remembrance, honoring the fallen soldiers and civilian victims, including affected Cuban citizens.

The second day featured the Cuban medical brigade in Saint Lucia, led by Dr. Norberto Ramos González, who signed the Book of Condolences and expressed their support. The former Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Saint Lucia, Stanley Hu, along with his colleague Weixin Lin and Trevor Heath, the President of the Saint Lucia–Venezuela Solidarity Association, also visited the Embassy to reaffirm their commitment to friendship and cooperation with Venezuela.

On the third day, important political and regional leaders signed the Book of Condolences. Leo Clarke, Secretary General of the Saint Lucia Labour Party; Didacus Jules, Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); and Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, each emphasized the critical importance of peace, dialogue, and diplomacy, while standing in solidarity with the Venezuelan people. Notably, protocol officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Peter Lansiquot, Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to Venezuela for ALBA and CELAC, were present, and representatives from the Cuba–Saint Lucia Friendship Association also participated.

On the same day, Ambassador Leiff Escalona met with her Brazilian counterpart, Colbert Pinto Soares Jr., who signed the Book of Condolences.

During this visit, the Venezuelan State expressed sincere gratitude to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for the urgent dispatch of medical supplies for critical patients, aimed at alleviating the damage caused to dialysis equipment and healthcare centers following the attacks and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, National Assembly Deputy Cilia Flores.

On the fourth day, the Embassy welcomed Arturo Ramis, representative of the Embassy of Mexico in Saint Lucia; former international footballer Earl Jean; Rawle Harvey, former President of the Cuba–Saint Lucia Friendship Association; and Jesús Toranzo, a Cuban citizen residing on the island. Rodneil Theodore, a member of the International Negro Congress of Ethiopia and Africa, and Esli La Feuillee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saint Lucia, also made their marks in the Book of Condolences.

Throughout these four days, members from diplomatic, political, social, and cultural sectors left powerful messages of solidarity, reinforcing the call for peace, respect for international law, and the resolution of differences through dialogue.

The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Saint Lucia extends heartfelt gratitude to all individuals and institutions who participated in this tribute. Their contributions honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their homeland and reaffirm the strong bonds of respect, solidarity, and friendship between the peoples of Venezuela and Saint Lucia.