Antigua and Barbuda prepared to draw the line on Venezuela if . . .

Antigua PM Gaston Browne (left) with Venezuela’s Maduro

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Jun 21 2017 – The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has dismissed suggestions that his country and others in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), have been giving blind support to the Nicolás Maduro-led administration in Venezuela.

During an interview on Radio Jamaica’s Beyond the Headlines programme, Browne made it clear that his country is ready to draw the line when it comes to its support of President Maduro.

“At the end of the day, the [Presidential] Elections are due in 2018, and if Maduro fails to have Presidential Elections, we certainly will draw the line,” Browne told radio listeners.

“At the end of the day, you have to respect the fact, no matter what you think of Maduro, he is the elected President of Venezuela. If Maduro decides to stay on beyond his term we will draw the line. Our support is not blind support. We are standing on principle.”

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40 Comments

  1. June 25, 2017

    FUN & FROLIC …… it takes a toll on the human psyche, are you telling me that you are so spiritually corrupt that my posting have you clouded? by the way , you did not address the topic. The SLAVE always tend to use better grammar than his?her master. Bob.

    • February 16, 2018

      :Lol: 8) :twisted: read the new york daily news on venezuela children dying from lack of food.fools

  2. I'M NOT A PRIME MISTAKE!!!
    June 24, 2017

    The only reason why these little islands slave plantation……..are behind mad-u-ro,it’s because of the oil money! N…s..seems to be enslaved to anyone with bits and pieces to offer!!! One does not have to await elections to get rid of a government! Once the government fails to perform in the interest of the people and the country is in crisis,the masses has the right to remove the government without elections!!!

  3. June 23, 2017

    I usually don’ respond to comments made to my postings, but the ANCIENTS told us that the one with wisdom must seat together with the ignorant, and reason…”.BUBBA GUMB SHRIMP”a shrimp is a bottom feeding marine crustacean, with its head full of waste, mostly toxic, presuming that you are a male, you represent exactly my comment,your valueless comment is saying nothing to elevate . I speak on issues that i’m very familiar with, and the countries mentioned, i have been plus Afghanistan, you are the problem in DOMINICA presently, your computer can be used to educate personally, use the search engine, and you will be surprised at how much information there is on the super highway. A Fool with a little intelligence is a very dangerous person, if the blind leads the blind, they both fall into the same ditch, SHRIMP, you don’t seemed to be an ardent reader,and thats the problem, you really don’t know.Make some time, visit the library in ROSEAU,this might be a start.I stand by my…

    • Fun&Frolic
      June 23, 2017

      Mr. Denis, I am sure you intended to make sense, but I regret to inform you that what you have written defeated your intentions. Could you be so kind as to rewrite your comments to include proper grammar and punctuation? I will read your revised comments to see if I can locate the sense that I assume you are trying to convey. Cheers!

      • Me
        June 26, 2017

        Me thinks Bob smokes too much pot.

  4. FORKIT
    June 23, 2017

    why is this blogger( Let The Truth Be Knon – Original) so itchy about this news clip…. idiots crying

  5. Anomymous
    June 23, 2017

    And what is the purpose of that plane that has been buzzing us for the last week or so, flying around the island low but not landing. Is the government spying on us? Or is it a big power doing that and Roosevelt can not stop them. Please speak up and don’t say that it is none of our business. You dont own us and we are not your slaves you know.

  6. Mahaut
    June 23, 2017

    Tell that to the people and government of dominica

    • FORKIT
      June 23, 2017

      LOL… they cannot open their mouth because it was always about what they can get from that corrupt regime with no sympathy for the people of venezuela…. they like girls begging for topup

  7. June 22, 2017

    who will form the next government in Venezuela at this time if Maduro were to leave office at this time? Maduro can be deemed a legacy of Chavez who the American Government wanted to be replaced. To what extent do you very intelligent folks believe the US government is behind the current unrest in Venezuela? How much pressure is the US putting on Israel and other allies committing far worse atrocities? How much pressure is the US putting on China with the worse record on human rights violation? Where was the US during the Rwanda crisis? While the situation is Venezuela is not good its best to resolve it in a manner that will lend to long term stability… PM Browne has the right focus.

  8. Am not Loubiere's Johnson another D/can in T&T
    June 22, 2017

    rember gaston on 60 minutes with his due diligence laughable he isa Bird.lol

    • %
      June 22, 2017

      At least heGASTON BROWN, appeared on 60minutes,and acquitted himself well.Skerrit went to hide though!Then his mouth—pieces started to come out from the bushes.Thi is what passes as leadership in Dominica.Mentioning the name Venezuela now by thosr wicked DLP imposters is indeed a poison,but remember Dominica is probably the best example of the Venezuelan model in the region.Stealing of elections and giving of handouts and money to supporters only.
      SKERRIT MUST GO!
      SKERRIT MUST GO!
      SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!

  9. LaPlaine Observer
    June 22, 2017

    Mr. Gaston. You don’t have wait till election, to withdraw your support for this Dictator who as we speak, continue to oppress the rights of the Venezuelan people. The people of Venezuela are starving while he enjoys a lavish lifestyle with his cronies. When will Skeritt take a stand and denounce this.

    • NUWPl
      June 22, 2017

      There seems to be a thinking that wen a few people burn down kill and do mischief In a country they are called the people. Please note that the president was elected by the people. And those who are against him didn’t vote for him. He was elected by the majority.

      And please note that this country has millions of people.

      He can bring out his supporters too. But he is smart he went to school.

      But all he is doing is let the opposition do their do.

      He is learning from Skerrit.

      • Anonymous
        June 23, 2017

        So was Mugabe brother. I suspect he is your hero as well?

    • Me
      June 24, 2017

      PS. Why does Gaston Browne wear a Hitler moustache? Is it so you can not see his lip tremble?

  10. Stupes
    June 22, 2017

    “At the end of the day, you have to respect the fact, no matter what you think of Maduro, he is the elected President of Venezuela. If Maduro decides to stay on beyond his term we will draw the line. Our support is not blind support. We are standing on principle.”

    THIS IS A LEADER! Say what you will of MR Brown but he has never been one to shy away from speaking the truth or standing on the, right side – even when it means standing alone. I 100% agree with him on this issue.

    Unlike our PM, who blindly supports Maduro. shows he has no balls when in the “Real Big League”! Antigua received far more form Venezuela than Dominica ever did – as a matter of fact in one instance Venezuela paid off Antigua’s Debt to the IMF – yet, their leader has the fortitude to speak the truth and stand when it matters!

    • Let The Truth Be Knon - Original
      June 22, 2017

      . . . Venezuela paid off Antigua’s Debt to the IMF and the leader has the fortitude to speak the truth . . .?
      What truth the Antiguan PM speaks of?
      I am not stating that if Maduro is wrong he should not be reprimanded. However, it appears to me the Antiguan PM is ungrateful. Maduro should demand to be paid back.
      There is more to it than meets the eye. Two wrongs do not make a right. No one speaks of the Venezuelan opposition who is responsible for the people’s uprising against Maduro. They cause these nationals to go hungry and continue staging protests. Due to this they are obviously unemployed and incapable of building the economy and enhancing their country.

      • Stupes
        June 23, 2017

        The decision of the Venezuelan government to pay of Antigua’s debt to the IMF was not one which placed a noose around Antigua’s neck and made it a slave to Venezuela!

        The notion of gratitude has taken a whole new meaning since the Labour party took office as it continues to insist that the state’s money, used to develop the country, should submit the people to the will of the government – that is wrong, false and has created severe damage to the social structures in Dominica.

        Antigua’s government does not owe maduro’s any loyalty because “they were loaned money to pay off an IMF debt”. They have to pay them back!

        Because someone facilitated a process that benefited you (or in this case one country) does not mean that person owns you and you are to submit to their every demand.

        But, I appreciate that this is the mentality we are now used to in Dominica. Just look at how our government dear not say anything about the current crisis in Venezuela – except to lay blame…

    • Dante Jones
      June 22, 2017

      “We are standing on principle” – NONSENSE. If they had any principle they would recognise that a leader who has resorted to tyranny amidst a dire economic situation that was created by his predecessor and enabler is NOT fit to govern any country. The venezuelan constitution has provisions to have a referendum to revoke the presidency of such a leader where the situation arises (as is clearly the case now). All the requirements for the referendum were met but the effort was stonewalled by the government down to doing underhanded crap like instituting 2 day work weeks citing the energy crisis as an excuse when in reality all it did was reduce the amount of office time in the public sector to make it more difficult for the process to go through.

      There is only one way forward in this situation right now. Call general elections and let the people choose. Any leader that is not bold enough to say that doesn’t have any “balls”.

    • Anomymous
      June 23, 2017

      Amen, and Gaston Browne was not shy to speak to CBS on the passport issue either. Skerrit is just a big bully and a coward. Un fortunately he is ours.

  11. AA
    June 22, 2017

    You parasites leaders in the region need to pay the Venezuelans their money and stop talking cheap

  12. June 22, 2017

    I pray to the GODS’ of my ANCESTORS that Dominica would have a national book reading week, in so doing over time, a level of awareness would evolved.In this era of so-called high tech, the African man in DA and beyond, have refuse to self educate, and in doing so , keeps on posting comments of no value. Are Dominican aware of the true IMPERIAL issues happening in Venezuela? is there any debate on state radio or TV?, is the populace aware of the GOV’t position? it is not what goes in that defiles the man, is what comes out. The OAS will not get a mandate from clear thinking caribbean people, to destroy a nation in the name of REGIME CHANGE.The forces at play in Venezuela are the same in IRAQ,SYRIA,LYBIA,YEMEN,HONDURAS, tomorrow Dominica might be next. No wonder the women are more educated, makes more money and hold better positions than the African man in DA and beyond presently, the reason? he lacks the education that matters. A very sad situation.Bob D.

    • Dante Jones
      June 22, 2017

      Here is a list of the forces at play in Venezuela:

      1. Socialism (a failed government system based on the ideology of a man who didn’t know what it was to do an honest day’s work)
      2. Corruption on ALL levels (finance, public sector, education, government etc)
      3. Authoritarianism that destroyed the private sector to acheive the goals of socialism (see 1.)
      4. Nepotism – it falls under corruption but in this case specifically the irresponsible management of finances and positions of authority by incompetent people who only come by their positions because of some relation to those in power
      5. Incompetence – the drop in oil prices wouldn’t have hit them so hard if they had used the finance they got from the era of high prices wisely.

      And above all else it was the unwillingness to take responsibility for their errors starting with Chavez who instead of admitting that his stupid ideology was destroying the country he preferred to blame everything on the US and the “Imperio”

      • FORKIT
        June 23, 2017

        well said…

      • Gary
        June 24, 2017

        The forces you are attributing to the Venezuela crises can be found in many Countries around the world and they are not in turmoil like Venezuela. The world we live in is fascinating to those who take the time to look, unfortunately you do not take the time to broaden your view and this can be a real handicap in the way you understand things.You are entitled to your opinion but the turmoil in Venezuela is much more than the forces you are attributing.

    • The Darkness
      June 22, 2017

      Makes sense… if you THINK about it…

      Those who down voted this feel offended by the truth.

      Do not be afraid to speak, because I want all to cry when they realize it is truth and fact.

      Fools.

    • June 22, 2017

      LOL, Bob, your a sad situation. Please move to any of those counties you listed. You would not last 5 minutes.

  13. Anthony P. Ismael
    June 22, 2017

    Meanwhile, the Dear Leader of the Dominica Labor Party is moo-moo on the issue. He knows that if Maduro retains power and things calm down and return back to normal, he can always go back and beg for more free stuff for his “Red Supporters”. After all they did for us, not even two hands of fig and a dry swamp dasheen we sent for them to eat. Drigo said that we exported 1 million pounds of fish last year, maybe we could have dried and salted some on the free sheets of galvanize that the Red supporters received and shipped it to them on the boat that Skerrit bought for farmers to ship their produce overseas. :-P :-P :-P :-P

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      June 22, 2017

      You act as if you can read the PM’s mind. Do you know what people who assume they know everything, when they have no clue and can never know what is in people’s mind are called?

      • Anthony P. Ismael
        June 23, 2017

        Yes. They are called predictors. :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P

      • Me
        June 24, 2017

        The only person I know, who assumes to know everything but has no clue is a blogger named “Let The Truth be Known -Original”.

  14. Shaka Zulu
    June 22, 2017

    All who sell thier souls to the devil he will one day come back to your door. What will be your response? The devil here is the list for power and the misuse of a country’s God given resources for deviant goals and purpose. Caricom members especially dominica has aided and abetted in the misery that the Venezuelans faced today. How can you call the opposition rabid. They are the people of Venezuela who are suffering from the misuse of thier resources. When they finally get through what will be your song? This caricom leaders talking about principles all need to be arrested and jailed for life.

    • Let The Truth Be Knon - Original
      June 22, 2017

      You should think about this. Venezuela helped many countries in the Caribbean. This generosity by Maduro may have caused Venezuela not being able to assist its own. The ungrateful ones especially should repay Venezuela.

    • Gary
      June 25, 2017

      Your religious connotations and rhetoric is stepped in superstition and not based on facts regarding the matter in Venezuela. How can Caricom members, especially Dominica be held accountable for aiding and abetting the misery that the Venezuelan people are facing today, would like you to explain that, it is one thing to say something out of thin air, an explanation with credible facts is more suitable. You talked about resources, is it right for a few people to control the resources of a Country for their own enrichment neglecting the rest of the population. If you understood the history of Venezuela you would not be writing such nonsense. The problems Venezuela is facing right now is complex, the opinion you have expressed ignores many factors which you are not informed of.It is ludicrous to suggest that Caricom leaders talking about principles all need to be arrested and jailed for life,pity your ignorance.

  15. done&done
    June 22, 2017

    When you as a Caribbean political leader decide to sing for your supper, you will keep on singing out of tune with no logical rhyme. He sees that Maduro’s chances are slim so he is beginning to change his tune. Don’t you worry about these political puppets, nuh! Their fate will inevitably be the same. Time will tell. Red Tie will soon turn to BLUE. Why isn’t Skearat going over to Venezuela to give support to Maduro? Hahaha…he knows very well what would have happened to eem. :twisted:

    • Let The Truth Be Knon - Original
      June 22, 2017

      Some of you make comments without thinking. It is as if you are devoid of brains and common sense.
      Are you aware if the PM communicates with Maduro? The PM does not appear to be an ungrateful person who does not appreciate help he was given for Dominica, its economy, for negative nationals as you who constantly project your ingratitude.
      Be sure brain is engaged, the little you have, before putting mouth in gear – your fingers to the keyboard and clicking on the sent button to this Website.

      • done&done
        June 23, 2017

        “The PM does not [appear] to be an ungrateful person who does not appreciate help he was given for Dominica.” :lol: So, what’s your point Mr/Miss “Brain?” Oh, “he does not appear to be?” You have yet to make any sense at all.

      • FORKIT
        June 23, 2017

        Maduro is one man who seems to believe Venezuela is his estate and the masses are his property to use and discard as he see fit….you must be a functional idiot to spew all that fecal matter in so little words.

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