With fears that Venezuela is on the brink of economic collapse, Opposition Leader Lennox Linton, has called on the government to make humanitarian assistance available to the South American country.
Over the years Venezuela has been described as a “good friend” of Dominica by the government and Linton believes now that the country is in crisis, Dominica should be able to help.
He is suggesting that the island assists with an immediate dispatch of $1-million from the Economic Citizenship Program.
“I think the time has come when we should stay something,” he said on Q95’s The Hot Seat on Tuesday morning. “We should do something and I suggesting that the government of Dominica sets aside…immediately dispatch to Venezuela an amount of no less than $1-million from the Economic Citizenship Program of Dominica…”
Over the past three years, Venezuela has been on the throes of economic problems but it has now become a full-blown crisis.
Hit by a 10-year low in oil prices, 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.
Over past the weekend, President Nicolás Maduro, who many blame for the crisis, declared a 60-day state of emergency, claiming there were plots from within Venezuela and from the United States to undermine his authority.
The government of Dominica has always described Venezuela as a friend. Over the past decade, Venezuela and China have emerged as two of Dominica’s main donor countries.
During a visit by Maduro to Dominica on September 23, 2015, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described him as a “hermano” and “companero.”
He said Maduro was quick to assist Dominica after the passage of Tropical Storm Erika with 300 Petrocasas without being asked by the government.
On Tuesday Linton said the countries and people, such a Petrocaribe Minister Reginald Austrie and the new Dominica Labour Party candidate for the Soufriere by-election, Denise Charles, employed at Petrocaribe Dominica, who are benefitting from the Venezuela-funded Petrocaribe are silent about the matter.
“Clearly Venezuela has committed a lot to Dominica over the years and now that the economy is in shambles, now that its hospitals are failing and children are dying …it behoves us to step up to the plate and do something and to show that we care not just about ourselves but other people around the world, especially people who have stepped forward and make sacrifice on our behalf. I am suggesting that the government must make a humanitarian contribution to the Government and people of Venezuela immediately.”
Linton said Dominica has money sitting in the Economic Citizenship account and the government can make it happen.
He is also suggested that Dominicans visit the Embassy of Venezuela to make contributions.
“Make a little contribution to help the children who are dying in Venezuelan hospitals that are failing through lack of medicine and other important supplies,” he said.
No one country can get make a contribution great enough to even make a dent in what Venezuela is going through right now. My suggestion is that all the countries under the Petro Caribe agreement meet and put something together. Containers of supplies, money or whatever. The impact will be much greater.
PM Skeritt is not a talker but a doer so have no fear. I am positive pr0grams have been put in place to assist the Venezuelan people. One remembers when PJ was sickall sorts of enuendoes was levelled against the PM only to find out arrangement was already in place to assist Patrick J0hn so all the hot air coming from Linton’s nostrils is to seek attention to make him look good. Stop shedding crocodile tears man!! A LA
It has been said before by a great philosopher. “Beware of Greeks when they come bearing gifts”. That is can be applied to this demand by Lennox. Venezuela has for many years come under the severe criticism for assisting Dominica from the poisoned tongue of Lennox. Today he appears to be friendly and is concerned about developments in Caracas? It is true to say that Lennox and his cabal must be happy with what is taking place there as it will of has effectively stopped all foreign aid to Dominica from that Central American country. That must be music to this ears.
Your statement, if you can call it that, is so idiotic and transparent that laughing at it would make me certifiable.
You very well know that whatever criticism Mr Linton expressed regarding Venezuela, was towards it’s leadership and not the ordinary citizen who by all accounts, are in serious trouble so his call for us to aid those people will thankfully be seen by reasonable and sensible people, as just that.
I am no authority on politics or economics, and Dominica affairs are none of my business, but my heart goes out to the people of Venezuela.
A few thoughts came to me as I read this news article.
This is a tragedy, a disaster, It is chaos, an emergency of incredible magnitude. It is no time to blame somebody, or turn a nation wide calamity where people are starving and children are dying into a political football game.
Please grow up!
One politician has an idea. Nobody gives a rat’s tail if you like the man or not. Before it is even discussed
you begin politicking. People this is not about your favorite party. This is about the collapse of a country. A country that has helped Dominica in the past; a nation you have had a relationship with. At least Mr. Linton offered a proposal. It is a starting point. The ideal thing would be for many countries to join in and do what they can. But somebody has to take the lead for others to follow
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…
Oh please..Lennox is just being patronizing. He’s basically laughing internally while making this statement and making a mockery of the whole affair. He certainly doesn’t have the welfare of the Venezuelan ppl at heart.
Just look at where he’s suggesting the money comes from. A system that has been openly criticized by the Opposition. Venezuela’s support has also come under heavy criticism from the same opposition who now pretending to care. They are laughing at the whole situation. Labour or Workers this is a serious human rights issue and not one deserving of sarcasm or mockery.
Well said. Very refreshing.
Mr Prime Minister, listen here. I know you come here to read the comments just like I do.
It is a shame that we allowed the situation to get that bad before we assisted. Here is my proposal:
Pay Venezuela the amount outstanding. So instead of just giving out the money we do not have and was given to develop the country after Ericka, we should give them a sum of money to be written off against the outstanding balance.
P.S Please don’t be too generous, we are hungry in Dominica too.
Talk is cheap; a million dollars in Venezuela is chicken feed compared to what it means to seventy thousand people. Let us hope when the refugees start arriving our partner will open his doors to them.
It’s time for all dictators to be kicked out of office. They are only concerned about self, friends and family. Your time is up mr. scare-it.
Can someone tell me wgether We have received the 300 houses from Maduro?
“I think the time has come when we should stay something,” he said on Q95’s The Hot Seat on Tuesday morning. “We should do something and I suggesting that the government of Dominica sets aside…immediately dispatch t Venezuela an amount of no less than $1-million from the Economic Citizenship Program of Dominica…”—News article
There Linton goes with his rude demand again–SET ASISE –IMMEDIATELY DISPATCH TO VENEZUELA AN AMOUNG OF NO LESS THAT $1-MILLION —
Linton Sir you have used this kind of RUDENESS many times in the past, why have you not looked at the outcome, so to learn to present your ideas to the Government in a more humble stance?
I am asking why would anyone–for that matter–rush to respond to your demands; and especially the men and woman of Government in Dominica
It is not about what you are asking for, it is that you are making demands–you will have no fruits through that rude attitude of yours.
Elizabeth, you need to shut up, and stop talking about Lennox, you are a damn fool, if any body is rude it is you, and that damn Mountain Chicken Carpaud (Crapo) Mentality Indian doctor of nothing, dictator Roosevelt Skerrit!
If they had paid Venezuela the almost hundreds of millions Dominica owes to Venezuela for gasoline, and other petroleum products, may be the condition we see in Venezuela at the moment would not exists.
They spent more than thirty million dollars buying votes last election, could it be that is part of the many hundreds of millions they owe to Venezuela.
At least Lennox identified where the million dollars should derive! I warn you already an attack on Lennox by you, is an attack on me. And you had better pray I do not come to North York this summer, because if I do I will slap your face so hard you might fall to the ground, you so small you may not be to take a slap!
Ease up on the violence. Nothing productive comes out of it.
Oh dear, threats of violence
I would never slap Elizabeth face, it is too small to accommodate the palm of my hands, I am simply touching her nerves: She simply need to leave Lennox alone, and deal with the Crapo Skerrit, who she believes can do no wrong!
All that boy Skerrit done to buy her body mind and soul is giving her an electronic mothers day card, for that she will kill the wind if the wind bows on Skerrit too hard! I will not slap her face, I will just make her cook some yellow yam and fish for me and make sure she buy me some beer to so that I can drink her down like the last time.
I ate all her food, and drank all her beer oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
She is my friend, but she is also a plague!
Very good thought Mr. Lincton, now let us put it into action, let us show the Venezuelans who are their real friends, U W P OR lABOUR, I am waiting to send my two cents.
Make the first move send the money u collected
That to me is an excellent gesture; nevertheless, one need to ask: Is Dominica in any position to offer any form of humanitarian assistance to Venezuela considering that entails all of the following!
External development assistance, to reconstruct a country’s infrastructure, institutions, and economy, is often a key part of the peace accord in the aftermath of war. This assistance ensures that the country can develop, instead of sliding back into conflict. The key requirements include:
Reconstruction of property and infrastructure: to facilitate return of the displaced security, governance, transport of food and supplies, and rebuilding of the economy.
Transition to normal security conditions: demilitarization, demobilization, reintegration of ex-combatants and an adequate police force.
A functioning judiciary to enforce the rule of law.
Governance and government services.
Democratization: representative government to moderate conflict.
Economic development and a stable…
Continue:
Economic development and a stable macroeconomic environment to promote political stability and facilitate a solid financial base for government.
I seems to me all in the above resembles Dominica’s needs, and wants.
The ironic thing about this suggestion is that if the government had given $1 million to Venezuela before Linton suggested it then there would have been hell to pay. The wrath of the UWP would have descended on Skerrit like a tsunami. But now – its a great and wonderful idea to the UWP supporters simply because Linton said it. My point is, it’s time for us to examine the message and stop placing all of our focus on the messenger.
Personally, I think we should do something as a region. However, as a small island developing state, we can’t do much for a country which has 31 million people. Maybe we can help a village….
Venezuela needs food and fresh water not money. Linton I was about to praise you for once saying or suggesting something positive but apparently its just not in you.
ECP is for Dominica, the government cannot divert funds from the program to whom they like when they like. You are in fact inviting the government of Dominica to break the law by taking funds from a program meant for development of DA to be given as a grant.
Fresh fruits, vegetable, provisions, fresh water would benefit Venezuelans today. They cannot buy food even if they had billions of dollars, a shortage is a shortage. If you don’t have sugar on the Island and I give you a billion dollars you still cannot buy sugar. plain and simple.
So much help was given to Dominica by Venezuela and foreigners who paid for passports ,the gov’t did not do any thing to fructify the income they received . If Dominicans cannot take a serious decision to end SKerrit lavish life style ,their turn will not be far.
Interesting move on the chess board by Linton…Curious to see the response from our government to his reccomendation.
Oh Please really? Only UWP supporters will believe that is a genuine gesture. What is that they say about a leopard?
Poor Linton, he does not understand politics. He suffers from foot in the mouth disease and does not understand how severely his own utterances hurt him. Anyone with a little bit of sense would see right through this paper façade. Linton DOES NOT give two craps about Venezuela or Venezuelans just like he DOES NOT care about the well being of Dominicans. It is an insult to the people of Venezuela for Linton to suddenly pretend like he cares about them. His vicious attacks on the Venezuelan people are unforgivable. Nothing he says now can erase the hate he has launched against them. He has been part of the UWP gang who have frequently celebrated the unjust undermining of the Venezuelan peace, safety and sovereignty by outside forces. In fact they have been calling on the US to destroy Venezuela. Today Linton has the unmitigated gall to pretend that he cares about the Venezuelan people. The Prime Minister and President Maduro are personal friends. Linton sit down and shut up!
Anybody who truly cares about Venezuela would want them to rise up and remove this incompetent and worthless excuse of a government. He never launched any hate against the Venezuelan people but against the socialist regime that is keeping them down. Funny how politically blinded people cannot seem to make the distinction between the country and its failed government
Matt should start a “cash a thon” to try raise money to buy food and supplies for the people.
Lennox looking for all sorts of things to make the Government look small, wow politics is really a game but in all fairness, Dominica should atleast focus on some small area in Venezuela and provide assistance probably this is test to see if the friends of Venezuela will really come forward to assist in times of need you know the saying, when days are dark, friends are few.
I do understand what Linton is doing. He is telling Skerrit thst you have money to give India;money for Sousay sel party in Viellecase; money for PHD party; Bridge ground breaking party; Airport Renaming Party. Linton is saying why not offer a gesture to Dominica.
But I have a better idea for these mal papaye in our government. Why not put the political victimization aside and support the toilet paper manufacturer in Dominica by buying the tissue paper from him and donating to Venezuela.
If we want to give Venezuela money ask Reginald Austrie whether we can pay up our Petro Caribe debt to Venezuela. That in itself is a gesture of kindnesd
I really cant believe i born in Dominica among some stupid ignorant labourites . Linton made a good suggestion which i agree with . The give labour party so much money….. Now u telling u cant even give atlist 1million . Grow up u stupid ignoramt blind folded Labourites
It is a bloody shame. Austrie and Labour ….. Petro Caribe money so much by giving it away to lazy, greedy labourites. Now Venezuelans well need the money and they are turning a blind eye. God will punish all you. How can these so called honourable men sleep in their beds at nights?
It is shameful that most people commenting feel the need to create this humanitarian request into a political battle. It shows how ungrateful some people can be. Forget the message and concentrate on the Messenger. Im not a fan of Mr. Linton Myself. However we have to know the difference between political playing fields and humanitarian efforts. GROW UP PEOPLE. Remember your words when you end up in an unsatisfactory situation. Karma not an easy road. We NEED to lend a hand to our fellow man Venezuela. And we need to do it soon.
I must commend Mr. Linton. This is the most positive idea I’ve heard from you. It seems like you have finally stepped up your game sir, CONGRATULATIONS. I am in support with everything that you said. There must be money left over from the Economic Citizenship Program to donate a minimum of EC one million dollars to the government and people of Venezuela whom have stood by us in good times and bad times. Once again Mr. Linton great idea and keep up that level of politics.
While it is true, that the Govt. of Dominica should assist the Venezuelian Govt. in any way what so ever but with the idea coming from Linton at this time, I doubt that this was made in good faith, he was not truthful in his saying, for I could remember on several occasion Linton criticized the Govt. of Venezuela, saying at one time how they wanted to open a military base in Dominica among other things. Many Dominicans will remember this I’m not taking his talk seriously.
Clearly the Venezuelan Bolivian experiment is a failed one—- It survived because of its charismatic strong man- Chavez–lookout-Dominica is in the same boat.
That is a desperate political move by Mr Linton, even involving Denise Charles in it. Mr Linton will use anything to attempt to gain political points, including the ‘demise’ of his own members. Desperate and uneducated; that is a deadly combination.
Event,
Think of your Country D/ca and think of how under develop your country is after 16 long yrs being lead by your de-spirited leader, LENOX is trying to save U and your country from MURDERS, VACABONS, WAR MUNGARS, SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, FIRE BOMBING CHRISTMAS morning 2010, GOVT. MONEY BUILDING VILLARS, THE PANAMA PAPERS, HUMAN TRACFICKING, PASPORT SELLING, just U name it and that’s what your leader and his cabal is called and u call LINTON desperate,
Hear what JUSTINA SAID ABOUT IAN she said and I quote IAN IS A REAS MAN, Skerrit said IAN has grown 10′ feet taller in my EYES, U must be one of them to be able to sing from the LABOUR him sheet
Is that the same Linton … Papa meet..let me hold my pig.
Yes it is the same honourable Linton.What a shame after getting so much from Venezuela,it had to take the honourable Linton to remind Skerrit that Venezuela needs help….WELL DONE HONOURABLE LINTON!
Stay out of our internal affairs Denizon.
I don’t know why DNO has not moderated my comments of 14th May concerning the Venezuela situation. Nevertheless, I would also like to support Mr. Linton’s cry for assistance to the people of Venezuela, even though many of us don’t like Maduro’s leadership, which, according to many people is the same as Skeritt’s. I don’t expect any favorable reply to come from the Skeritt Administration, simply because the request came from Lennox Linton. Had the same appeal come from Tony, Aaron, Simeon or even the senior citizen who always like to call on the blood of Jesus and who resides in Kings Hill, as my Dad would say, before you hear jack rabbit, the people of Venezuela would be offered, water or toilet paper or agriculture produce. Excellent job Mr. Linton.
Wait until you become PM. Typical of you to run your mouth. For the time being try to gain the St. Mark constituent. You you are not capable of handling your own, so who are you to give advice. Coupled with your unpopularity your advice is shockingly absurd.
You must be mad or evil to negatively comment on what Honourable Linton has said.
Hmmmm, hmmmmm. If they pay up what they owe petro carib that would be more than enough. Reginald Austrie can sell one of his houses and donate funds to embassy. Embassador should do a water drive and a radiothon. Some officials made lots of money renting property to Venezuelans working on airport. Talk about corruption. As for the PM….. You all think that snake care about suffering of Venezuelan people? Use money to keep Dominicans poor so they can continue to come kiss his aassets and he can watch himself in the mirror and pat his back. Not even church leadership can see the deception and lies. Again socialism is a failure and stifles human development. You can build biggest road, largest airport, prettiest stadium, but if yoy cannot build people then country already fail. Now it will take 4 million a year in maintenance on stadium. I am not even adding all the roads. Where is the money coming from when country not producing crap?
HAHAHA yes Shaka you make my day
This is what a handout policy by governments that just want to get the peoples vote to stay in power leads too…It is shocking that it had to take the HONOURABLE Linton, the good citizen,to remind the corrupt,evil and wicked DLP,that they can render a helping hand to Venezuela….THEY JUST LIKE TO GRAB,but have nothing to do with the poor.
Linton this is a noble thought but what do we have to give Venezuela. Right now the passport money is gone ,l lost in offshore accounts. Hey Garry I am not one who says that Dominica has an offshore account, blame Panama Papers sir.
While Linton call for consideration of Venezuela’s situation is merely a political potshot we should be even more concerned about our own situation. What Venezuela needs is responsible management , just like we do in Dominica. Governance cannot be about men and women doing any and everything just to remain in power ,all while the interest of the masses is neglected.
What Venezuela is experiencing is a political disaster created by a regime that was focused on insuring dependency and loyalty thru poverty.
Hugo Chavez family for example own billions while they give Petro Casas . Is that familiar to us in Dominica
BUT YET STILL A LITTLE DOCTORATE HE GOT IN INDIA, HE RUN AND DONATE. SKERRIT Called maduro hermano which means brother. So skerrit somebody have to tell u to help veneZuela??? Smh. Shame on u skerrit.
To make sure we never go down this path, it’s crucial to remember that it’s not low oil prices or American interference that have done this to the Venezuelan people, it’s socialism. And it’s even more ironic that the regime calls itself “Bolivarian”, when Simón Bolívar himself warned:
“A state too expensive in itself, or by virtue of its dependencies, ultimately falls into decay; its free government is transformed into a tyranny; it disregards the principles which it should preserve, and finally degenerates into despotism.”
That situation is exactly what is happening here. Our day of reckoning is coming Dominicans. One day those loyal, blinded labourites will finally admit that UWP had predicted this demise a long time ago.
“To make sure we never go down this path, it’s crucial to remember that it’s not low oil prices or American interference that have done this to the Venezuelan people, it’s socialism”
And I quote you are perfectly correct, socialism is indeed communism: Communism masquerading by another name “socialism!”
We saw what happened in the former Soviet Union: Russia and it former colonies in the soviet block, and even with all the different resources in Russia the communism failed, long after Krusheff too off his shoe in the United Nation, and slammed it on a table as he tolled the United States contingents “we will bury you.”
The Venezuela fiasco right now was long expected, as matter of fact one may say long overdue! Had China not shift, to democracy in disguise China as a communist nation would long be dead! Rice and other agricultural products could not sustain the economy of China. We cannot ensure the same will never happen in Dominica as long as Skerrit is Prime…
” Took off his shoe and slammed it on a table as he tolled the United States contingents “we will bury you.”
The word is: “told” the United States contingents “we will bury you.”
We cannot ensure the same will never happen in Dominica as long as Skerrit is Prime Minister, and the party rules over us!
They are not ruling over me for sure.