Housing Minister, Reginald Austrie, has expressed confidence that Venezuela will overcome what he said are forces that are trying to destabilize it’s ‘progressive’ government.
Speaking at a ceremony to observe the 11th anniversary of the signing of the Petrocaribe Agreement between Dominica and Venezuela at Krazy Kokonut on Wednesday, Austrie hoped that ‘good fortune’ will return to Venezuela and bring relief to its people.
“Just as the sun always rises in the morning, we have every confidence that the forces of nature and of man that are at work trying to undermine and destabilize the progressive government of the Bolivarian Republic will be overcome,” he said.
According to Austrie, there are signs that Venezuela is on it way to recovery.
“The writing is already beginning to appear on the wall with the increase in oil prices that have recently occurred,” he stated. “We believe that rain will soon arrive breathing new life in the hydro plants in Venezuela.”
He noted that Venezuela has always been willing to assist Dominica.
“Dominica has had to confront many challenges and natural disasters over the past ten years and after each of them Venezuela has willing come to our assistance in our struggle to recover often before we could make an official request,” he stated.
Austie pointed to Tropical Storm Erika in late August last year and its aftermath and Venezuela’s willingness to assist which, he said, showed the strong bond of brotherhood between the two nations.
“In quick time President Maduro was among the first offering assistance in the search and rescue operations,” he said. “This was quickly followed up with a donation of 300 petrocasa houses to provide accommodations for our displaced families,” he stated.
He asked for God’s blessings on Venezuela.
“May God continue to bless Venezuela and to ensure the good fortune may return to Venezuela not just because of the support that we get from Venezuela but also to bring some much relief to the people of Venezuela,” Austrie said.
Oil-rich Venezuela has been experiencing a deep social, economic and political crisis. Reports also indicate that the country is lacking in everything from bread, to flour, to toilet paper and other basic items. Looting has become common. The healthcare system is in a state of extreme turmoil with infants dying at an alarming rate. Essential drugs are hard to find and hospitals and doctors are reporting that they have no gloves, water or soap to perform basic procedures. Blackouts are frequent and there are long lines at supermarkets.
However, Venezuela’s ambassador to Dominica, Hayden Ovando Pirela has said that the situation in his country is not as bad as the media is reporting. He said the situation is being manipulated by the American media.
There are forces that want to destroy Venezuela. My wish is that Venezuela is restored to some normalcy that, the people cease demonstrating and get to work for the good of their country and themselves. The numbers who are demonstrating do not help their country.
Let us pray for them that Venezuela will be restored to peace.
Lord, please put a hand in Venezuela and help Your people!
Austrie, I really think that it is better that one, especially holding any high office, remain quiet( mouth shut up) than open their mouth and raise all doubts.
This diplomatic debate appears to be out of your limited realm and that of Skerrit. Next time shut up, or research first please.
Bad governance Mr Austria. ..wickedness that has Venezuela like that, but the people will win, they are punishing the opposition and now all included, soon soon
Austria keep on saying what you think Venezuelan leader wants you to say.Your empty rhetoric is doing nothing to assist the hungry people of that country.The failed policies of Maduro and Chavez is the reason that country’s economy has failed.Of course things are expected to get better over time.It’s time to hit the reset button so that the Venezuelan people can have the benefit of the oil resource.Weak people always look to point fingers and blame others for their short comings and failures.Trinidad is heavily dependent on oil,how come it’s economy is not in shambles like Venezuelan.You don’t have empty store shelves and hunger in Trinidad.Because the free market model is delivering for the Trinidadian people.When world oil prices declined declined,it also declined in T&T.Venezuela needs sensible,modern leadership who will restore the standard of living the country needs.Austrie we are not as foolish as you want us to be.Respect our intelligence
It has to be in Austrie’s interest more then anybody else for Madura to remain in power. Since the inception of Petro Caribe many years ago, he has been in control as the Minister responsible and I understood, chairman of the board. Sometimes I wonder whether Petro Caribe is a private company. We have heard of Government’s involvement when it comes to the buying and selling of petroleum products from Venezuela. We have also heard of an agreement to repay a loan after a period of twenty or twenty five years. However no report has been presented to the Parliament. In fact Dominicans do not know what is Dominica’s petroleum debt to Venezuela. Should their be a change of administration, some kind of report would have to be presented to the new Administration indicating as to what has happened to the million of dollars owed to Venezuela. One man appears to be sitting on all that information, therefore, he has his reasons, hoping they will overcome.
You are on the right track but there is more to it.
I suppose in politics people say publicly what they have to say publicly. I just hope that the Skerrit administration is privately preparing for the post-Maduro Caribbean, because the regime there cannot long survive now that they’ve “progressively” driven the entire Venezuelan economy off a cliff.
Reggie, you forgot, the sun stopped rising for comrade Chavez against his wishes! Nothing is for ever my friend, as you too shall find out.
Noise, Noise. The evil that men do lives with them. What you sow is exactly what you will Reap. Thats not prevailing:, it is written and it shall come to Pass.
Venezuelans need food! comida! Yes they have helped us in the past, it is now our turn to help them. We have plenty food to share. Put down the red koolaid, this is about people, not politics.
Those ‘forces’ are called ‘the people’; and the people will always triumph over tyranny and corruption. Check your history.
Check the history of the Middle East as also in Syria. Where are many of them today? They are now in Canada, over 25,000 of them as refugees which cost the Canadian taxpayers approximately $34M so far with more to come. I do not know how many the US and Europe took in.
People would do well to pray for their politicians and their country. Demonstrations and much talking do not usually help in the manner expected. They should be out there working to restore the items to the economy which it is said they are in dire need of. If they continue in this manner, of course the country will get worst. Therefore who do you blame? The opposition, these people and the US Media of all.
corruption killing Venezuela not out side influences,Venezuela is a sovereign country,the low cost of oil that hurting them,your a minister of government you should know this,all you need to go back to school and stop trying to make out that your smarter than us…we know better.
I would say the samething if I were you
Austrie you are such a two face it was less than last month that you said Venezuela
was not in any crisis
keep dreaming…Austrie, they will overcome when Maudro leaves office…
you’ll believe that a free pass always exist….keep that silly hope alive..haha..
Keep on dreaming AUSTRIE.
Pipe dream ! They will only overcome when there is more democratic participation across the board . In addition the country cannot depend on the price of oil alone to turn the economy around . As much as they dislike it , you still need capital to run the economy .