Dominica/Venezuela relationship will not change – PM

Nicolas Maduro is Chavez's handpicked successor
Nicolas Maduro is Chavez’s handpicked successor

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has given the assurance that there will be no adverse effects to the bilateral agreement between Dominica and Venezuela, following the death of Hugo Chavez.

The Venezuela leader, who has fought a two-year battle with cancer, died on Tuesday at the age of 58.

Skerrit, who was a guest on Kairi Fm’s Heng program on Wednesday morning, expressed confidence that the social economic initiatives between Dominica and Venezuela will continue.

“There was nothing selfish about President Hugo Chavez. What he did for Dominica and with Dominica, he readily shared with his cabinet at every step of the way. The people know of the relationship and they know the special affection we shared. Hugo Chavez and Roosevelt Skerrit were close friends but Venezuela and Dominica were even closer so I don’t expect the friendship to deteriorate,” PM Skerrit said.

The prime minister said further that he does not expect agreements on social and economic initiatives to be reneged upon.

“That was not the nature or spirit of the relationship that existed between the two countries. We are not bothered by any change of leadership in Venezuela after the passing of Hugo Chavez. The entire Venezuelan population know of the relationship that exists between Dominica and Venezuela,” he explained.

The Prime Minister also said that Dominica’s relationship with Chavez ‘s successor, Nicolas Maduro, has grown significantly over the past two years.

“We have a very meaningful friendship and relationship. Maduro was party to all and every matter that was discussed bilaterally between our countries. He was responsible for the Dominica file. If I couldn’t get the president; I would simply speak to Maduro and get the matter approved or advanced. I have no fear in a change of leadership,” he said.

In keeping with the Venezuelan constitution, general elections will be held in the South American country in 30 days.

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34 Comments

  1. /////////////////
    March 7, 2013

    I read and reread the article and there is no where that says that one is asking for money. I read and I did not eat my school fees that bilateral relations will continue. Persons die every day but agreements continue whenever others take over that is why business don’t close when someone at the head dies. It is a on going concern. Just trying to let you understand something which I guess you and many others distort the truth. Time for us to be truthful and not try to fool those who are less educated than ourselves.

    • j
      March 7, 2013

      You must start being a man/woman and say these things to your leaders. Don’t be a hypocrite. Tell them to stop deceiving the people.Do you have the balls to tell them so? They are wicked and deceptive, and maybe they need the help of a hypocrite like you.

  2. Anonymous
    March 7, 2013

    Well I hope for Dominica’s sake actually scratch that. I hope for Skerrit’s sake that’s true because if the new guy demands his country’s money back Skerrit better be able to account for every penny 8-O

    Sorry folks you will have to pay for your own funerals soon and find a job as Red Clinic may have to take a lllloooonnnnnggggg break :mrgreen:

  3. Truth be told
    March 7, 2013

    Welcome daddy Maduro! :-P

    • Prophet2
      March 7, 2013

      LOL… :-P

  4. Understand
    March 7, 2013

    New elections are coming don’t be so sure Mr. PM Maduro will win…..

  5. Prophet2
    March 7, 2013

    But the red ants are afraid that their red clinic will close.

  6. Malatete
    March 7, 2013

    Isn’t that a bit premature and presumptuous? Exactly because th P.M. had such a close personal relationship with the late Hugo Chavez it is impossible to predict with any certainty that it will be exactly the same with a new Venezuelan leader, especially since we do not know yet who that will be. Whoever takes over the reins in Venezuela will surely be pre-occupied with holding that country together rather than worry about the immediate wellbeing of Dominica. We will just have to wait and hope for the best.

  7. Corrupt_Bastards
    March 7, 2013

    Skerrit, u know very well the relationship will change with time, there is only one Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, Alba and petro Caribe is finished. :mrgreen:

  8. Amazing Grace
    March 7, 2013

    It just amazes me that PM Skerrit knows all about every other country constitution except his or is he deliberately contravening our constitution?

    He speaks about the Grenadian Constitution and its provision as it related to joining the CCJ and now he is interpreting the Venezuelan Constitution.

    Just asking a question.

    • Peeping Tom
      March 7, 2013

      Where do you see the PM “interpreting the Venezuelan Constitution?”

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

    • SOMETHING ELSE.
      March 7, 2013

      The English language is not as easy as you think.

  9. Dominiquen
    March 7, 2013

    I believe that the US poisoned Chavez somehow. :?:

    • pongpong
      March 7, 2013

      i believe superman can fly like in the movies..

    • OAT
      March 7, 2013

      Don’t blame the US for everything. They are involved in a lot of things, bad and good. But cancer is a very common disease. And you should also know that somewhere in the “prosess” Chavez was misdiagnosed by the Cubans !!!

      • Justice and Truth
        March 8, 2013

        You made a good point. There are times people are treated for the wrong ailment. He was young only 58 years. He had many more years to live to achieve his goal of assisting more Venezuelans.
        In addition, politicians may not know how to properly take care of themselves. They eat the best of everything, sometimes, too much of it as they attend all sorts of meetings.
        Today, there is much more health information as previously. We are told to take a detox to cleanse the blood/body; drink a certain amount of water; get ample sleep; exercise and so on. Politicians and others are too busy to know about this. Some will reject it.
        Vitamin E, C, D and some other supplements are good for the body. They do help. You know, prevention is better than cure. Some people do die prematurely due to negligence and malpractice.
        One of my non-Dominican friends was sick. I once asked her if she took Vitamins as mentioned and other relevant ones. She said that she ate well. Of course, she had the means of eating well. She was married with children, had a good, permanent, stable paying job and a lovely house. She and her husband were not in need of. To make this short, she got worst and died at the age of 59. I have not forgotten what I told her then nor have I forgotten about her. She was really a nice person and a friend.
        Aside from eating well we should take relevant vitamin supplements. Recently, I also heard this on Dr. Oz Show. There must be some truth in it.

    • DR
      March 7, 2013

      Good riddance then

    • Malatete
      March 7, 2013

      Believe is an article of faith, not of science. “Bring me the evidence” Tony would say. But, no doubt, it will make another best-seller for one of the merchants of doom, who are racing to press, to be the first while Chavez’ corpse is still above ground.

    • ........
      March 7, 2013

      God man you guys can be so gullible. It is just so ridiculous how we can make politicians make us believe that they are untouchable and nothing can happen to them naturally because they are high and mighty.

      God is no respector of persons. I only wish we could focus as strongly on our chrristian principles and faith and beleive in our God as some of us do in politicians.

    • Truth be told
      March 7, 2013

      I believe God is dead!

    • Soldiers of Jah
      March 7, 2013

      Good

    • Durand!
      March 8, 2013

      No Sir, they didn’t! pls be carefull of what comes out your mouth for you a condeming your own self Sir.

  10. Anonymous
    March 6, 2013

    The poor man has not even be laid to rest and your are asking about money .

    • /////////////////
      March 7, 2013

      Anonymous Iread and reread the article and there is no where that says that one is asking for money. I read and I did not eat my school fees that bilateral relations will continue. Persons die every day but agreements continue whenever others take over that is why business don’t close when someone at the head dies. It is a on going concern. Just trying to let you understand something which I guess you and many others distort the truth.

      • Anonymous
        March 8, 2013

        Excuse me why would you eat you eat your schools -how silly. Anyway I don’t think it is appropriate to dicuss anything of this nature until after the funeral -it shows desperation

  11. madam chair
    March 6, 2013

    yes Mr. Pm, c’est ou ki wah laterre…..have u not heard it was said that nothing lasts forever and things can change in a twinkling of an eye…..yes sah!!!smh

  12. bottom brains
    March 6, 2013

    eh ben you come out. de man doh even bury yet but sherro and them begging you already.

  13. MARIGOT
    March 6, 2013

    My dear PM accept my sympathies :cry: but really before your time the people of Venezuela and Dominica had very friendly ties eh, so after you and Chavez God rest his soul in peace , the friendliness will still remain, so just mourn the loss of your comrade and please don,t sweat it, the little black with your name was handed over to Maduro ok.

  14. %
    March 6, 2013

    Skerrit leaders must respect the law (the constitution) of their land once they lead in a Democracy.
    This relationship presently is (99% Nicolas Maduro and the Venezuelan people, and 1% Skerrit (if you are the legal PM of Dominica). I doubt you are the PM. So chill out brother. I can understand what you are going through now, but just drink a little baselic tea and chill out brother.THE CONSTITUTION IS CONING AT YOU NOW..

    • SOMETHING ELSE.
      March 7, 2013

      Hope Lennox does better for you ALL.

  15. Sunset Blvd
    March 6, 2013

    That’s too early to tell…what the outcome will be

    The amount of debt and turmoil that is in Venezuela
    Tides will certainly change as these Regimes don’t Have a organised structure of ruling..

    It’s pretty much a show off attitude with no sustain Goals…

    • grell
      March 7, 2013

      what regime,some of you are so negative.chavez did a lot for the poor people of the caribbean,and gave free oil to the poor in the usa so get your facts straight about him,and who are you all to judge,let god be his judge.rest in peace hugo chavez.

    • OAT
      March 7, 2013

      You are so right. And with that amount of oil Venezuela has, with the right people in the right positions, none would have needed to starve and suffer in Venezuela. Chavez controlled everything, the press, newspapers and tv.You would only get to know what he and his people wanted you to know. But he was a man with visions, and you can’t blame him for that. And he has for sure helped a lot of people May he rest in peace

  16. Arrival
    March 6, 2013

    Wait there and say what you want. Maduro have his country to build, think is you he will check a different person when it comes to governace.

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