Ties between Venezuela and Dominica 'strong' despite crisis

Dominica’s relationship with Venezuela has “touched every sphere” of life in the Nature Island and is stronger than ever, according to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

His words came as the two countries celebrated the 12th anniversary of the shared Petrocaribe Energy Cooperation Agreement.

But it comes at a time when Venezuela is engulfed by political unrest, as citizens take to the streets to protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

At least 80 people have been killed during the turmoil, and last week government buildings were attacked by helicopter by people Maduro described as “terrorists”.

Prime Minister Skerrit, speaking at an anniversary service alongside his cabinet, Venezuela’s ambassador to Dominica and staff of PDV Dominica, commended the management and workers of the company for their role in the country.

He said he believes the entire country has benefited from oil agreement, and that gratitude should be expressed.

“The impact that Venezuela’s generosity has had on us has touched every sphere of our society,” he said.

“Every single citizen, the 72,000 of us who reside in this country, has benefited from Venezuela’s generosity. The least we could do is to show the gratitude.”

Friendship in time of crisis

WIC News has reached out to the opposition United Workers Party and its leader, Lennonx Linton, for comment. No replies to email have been received as yet.

General manager of PDV Caribe Dominica, Henry Blanco, said that the company has spent more than $12million towards the socio-economic development of Dominica.

“Furthermore, as a company we continue to give tremendous support to educational, sporting, cultural and the tourism sector in Dominica., contributing [to] for example carnival, festivals, jazz and creole, creole in the park, dive fest and other various activities,” he added.

“In fact, it was a very proud moment to have for the first time a Venezuelan band to perform in the jazz and creole festival this year.”

Referring to the upheaval within the South American state, Blanco thanked the Dominica for demonstrating true friendship even in time of crisis.

According to the Dominica government, since the inception of the agreement the goal has been to facilitate the integration of Caribbean people through energy cooperation based on favourable, equitable exchange between the countries.

“There are many who have predicted that it would not have lasted six months,” Skerrit said.

“When it got to six months they said a year, when it got to a year they said it would not get to two years and when it got to two years they said it would not get to five years.

“They said when President Chavez passes on it would have ended but we have seen it growing from strength to strength.”

Hon Prime Minister Skerrit, congratulated PDV Caribe Dominica on their anniversary.