ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda will not turn its back on Venezuela despite pressures from the United States for countries in the region to do so.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne addressing the ceremony on the “Without Borders” vessel which leaves here later on MondayBrowne, speaking at a ceremony on board the visiting Venezuelan Naval academy training vessel, Ambassador Without Borders, said that Caracas had helped stabilize Antigua and Barbuda’s economy during the 2008-11 global financial crisis with credits of over EC$500 million(One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) through the PetroCaribe Initiative.
Under the PetroCaribe Initiative, that was established in 2005, Venezuela offered concessional oil to Caribbean countries, allowing them to pay for a portion of their oil imports over a 20-year period, with the remaining portion repaid at a low interest rate.
“This act literally stabilized the country’s economy which was one of the worst hit by the global crisis. This evening, on behalf of the people of Antigua and Barbuda, I wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the people of Venezuela for their assistance.
“Evidently, there are some political challenges as a result of the new policies of the Trump administration. However, we continue to advocate for stability within the region and for the US to reconsider its policies that will destabilize the region,” Browne told the ceremony, adding that Washington wants to punish countries that benefit from Venezuelan oil as one such potentially harmful policy.
He said this policy is “deleterious” to the growth and development of the countries of the region and that Antigua and Barbuda will continue to advocate for changes.
“We are fully aware of the geo-political challenges that Venezuela faces, however, the government and people of Venezuela must be assured that Antigua and Barbuda continues to be a very liable partner and will continue to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Venezuela.
“We will not be persuaded by the rhetoric or the mis-information and dis-information that are being used to demonize the duly elected Venezuelan government. We will continue to work with Venezuela, Cuba and other like-minded countries to ensure that our hemisphere remains a ‘Zone of Peace’,” Browne said, describing the visit of the vessel as ‘the embodiment’ of the peaceful culture of the government of Venezuela.
Venezuelan Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, Carmen Velasquez, said ‘as everyone knows, Venezuela is a victim of sanctions and measures that only seek to harm our people, including our migrants.
“In the face of this, with our heads held high and with the dignity of a fighting, hardworking and honest people, who love their country, we will continue forward and overcome obstacles to preserve our achievements. In this regard, President Nicolás Maduro has activated the Productive Independence Plan,” the diplomat said.
The Ambassador Without Borders vessel leaves here later on Monday.
