BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN an historic visit to the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, His Excellency Nicolas Maduro Moros arrived yesterday (Sept. 23) at the RLB International Airport to a red carpet welcome.
In this his inaugural visit to the Federation since taking office in 2013, President Maduro was welcomed at the airport by Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and Ministers of his Government, as well as officials from the Venezuelan Embassy and a Guard of Honour, which comprised members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force and the Coast Guard.
In his welcoming remarks to President Maduro and speaking in Spanish, Prime Minister Harris said: “Mi casa es tu casa”, meaning literally “My house is your house”.
He stated that it was a distinct honour for him to welcome President Maduro to St. Kitts and Nevis, adding “Mr. President, your visit here highlights a major strategic approach of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis’ foreign policy outlook of boosting relations with our friends with whom we share a long history of friendship while simultaneously forging new alliances.”
Dr. Harris also spoke to the strengthening bond between the two countries and when it started.
“Since the early 1980s, St. Kitts-Nevis and Venezuela established diplomatic relationships and, since way back then, the relationship has strengthened. We have seen for example, the establishment of the Venezuelan Institute, which provides training in Spanish and in Spanish culture here in St. Kitts and Nevis.”
He told President Maduro that the Federation and a number of other countries in the region had benefitted from the PetroCaribe Agreement made possible by the Venezuelan Government.
“Through PetroCaribe, your Government continues to demonstrate a long-lived commitment to the cause of my Government and that of fellow regional Governments.”
Dr. Harris pointed out that through the agreement, his Administration and those of many others in the Caribbean region were better able to cater to their social and economic development agendas.
“The Government has achieved poverty reduction and improvements in the condition of life of our people,” he added.
In further extension of his hand in friendship on behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Prime Minister said to the Venezuelan Head of State: “Mr. President, although your visit will be short, I trust that the hospitality, the warmth and love of our people and the appreciation of my Government for your tangible and substantial assistance to our development will long permeate the atmosphere and that you will have no choice but to utter, ‘Oh I must return, Oh I long to return to Sugar City St. Kitts and Nevis.’”
In response to Dr. Harris’ welcome remarks, President Maduro, through a translator, said he and his large delegation were in the Federation to further strengthen the bonds between the two nations.
“Dear brother Timothy Harris, we have come here with the decision and interest to strengthen even further the length and the bonds of our friendship and solidarity and sister and brotherhood between our nations.”
President Maduro reiterated the strength of friendship that exists between Venezuela and the Federation and expressed the hope that same could be had with his country and other countries in the Caribbean region.
“Dear Timothy Harris, when I come here I have to tell you that I feel truly at home, and when I look you into the eye I see true brothers and sisters. And that is what we want with the rest of the Caribbean...to be like brothers and sisters, to build a relation promise to all cooperation, unity and true independence. That is why under this beautiful sun, this beautiful morning of the 23rd of September I say thank you for this welcome brothers and sisters, and it is like this that we will continue.”
The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was originally scheduled to visit St. Kitts and Nevis on Friday, and was slated to attend the Federation’s 32nd Independence Day Parade and Toast to the Queen and the Nation, as well as to assist in the disbursement of cheques to ex-sugar workers.
He was instrumental in his Government’s $16M to the Team Unity Administration to settle compensation claims by ex-sugar workers.
