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Gov’t Rejects U.S. Pressure to Cut Ties with Venezuela, Cites Sovereignty
Chief of Staff Lionel Max Hurst says Antigua and Barbuda will continue its relations with Venezuela and Cuba despite renewed U.S. sanctions and trade restrictions targeting the region.
“We have told them again and again that the enemies are not our enemies. And we will not follow them on the path of enmity,” Mr Hurst said during Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing.
He acknowledged that U.S. trade policies, including a new embargo against Venezuela, threaten several programmes in Antigua and Barbuda that are supported through PetroCaribe credit arrangements.
“Several programmes utilising credit from Venezuela on the purchase of petroleum are likely to be adversely affected by the new U.S. trade embargo against Venezuela,” he said.
Mr Hurst noted that PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, plays an important role in local social welfare initiatives. “PDVSA also provides, or rather is a key agency in providing some assistance to elderly in Antigua and Barbuda by paying up to, I think, $100 or something for the electricity bill,” he said.
He also outlined how oil purchased above a certain price threshold benefits the country. “If we buy petroleum at a price exceeding $100, the amount exceeding $100 will in fact not have to be paid by Antigua and Barbuda, but will act as a kind of a loan… and that money must be spent on things that help to improve the social welfare of the people,” he said.
Mr Hurst made clear that Antigua and Barbuda sees Venezuela and Cuba as regional partners, not adversaries. “Venezuela and Cuba are very much Caribbean countries. And so we have no intentions of severing our relations with those two states,” he said.
He concluded: “We only hope that they’ll get the message loudly and clearly. As small as we are, we know that we are a sovereign country… and no one is going to define for us who our enemies should be.”
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Hey Gatson..
Again, Antigua is too small to use the old moto ” the enemy of my enemy is my friend”, too small.
In these day and time, one mistake can severely hurt Antigua’s interest in the modern world, so you better choose properly the devil you want to dance with.
So Venezuela is your new click?
Bwoi a tell yah with this hardheaded PM y’all voted for. 😂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xnR2ZmdFG0
Jeffrey Sachs said, to be an enemy of the USA is bad, but to be a friend is catastrophic.
The USA will punish his friends that don’t toe the line with them. And Antigua and Barbuda will soon find out what a friend they have in the USA.
U guys do not understand, the usa wants us to stop dealing with these folks so we can depend on them, then have it hard.
Island man 26, I hardly every agree with Gaston on anything, but this time I do
I don’t agree with a lot Max says, but I wholeheartedly support this!! We’re a sovereign state, lets act like it!
Island “Man” Sounds more like island wuss! But then he might be just another UPP eunuch! No spine, no backbone, no bravery, no ethics, no balls.
Faithful National # 1, there are labourites and Gastonites who think differently on this but do not have the balls to voice their opinions a bunch of cowards because they have to stay tied to the corruption trough
Supporting any super power as a small island is a fine line at best..it’s not a sure fire thing that it will yield any type of long term benefits..
So yes, this Government certainly have the right to support who it wants, but Gatson Browne advisers must advise him m to exercise diplomacy here, and slapping your chest like it’s some grand price to support Venezuela, is not exercising deplomacy.
Putting ourselves further on the world stage with these fly off the handle comments by Max Hurst and Gatson Browne, is not what we need right now.
That’s why I said to choose wisely the devil you want/choose to dance with.
We need to be friends with all the devils right now, not a perceived enemy of anyone..that’s all I’m saying.
And this man seems not to know anything about deplomacy or when to shut up or put out the right energy at the right time.
He Gatson Browne is fine, with his bank account well full, so in his personal life he can ef up as much as he wants, but Antigua do not have the clout to be stomping it’s chest right now..maybe another time, but certainly now.
Yes, the “dunning kruger effect” is true with this man many of times, and thats the dangerous thing about this man many do not see the true motive in this man’s foolish actions.
I hope we can stand firm on this issue, we cannot allow the Americans to continue to bully us as if we are their property. There will be some pain in the process but we have to stand strong. We are now facing a new form of slavery from the decendants of slave owners wether they reside in America, Canada or Europe.
We should keep good relationships with Venezuela, not only they have more fair trade and provide more they also face oppression which makes close allies. Just that sort out the Guyana dispute possibly the more American influence in Guyana is making a big play in things
Ok so Gaston plays the black power sentiments to get support from the people by pretending pan African, not me for sure with his facade,Gaston want move Barbuda river dock which is equivalent to our deep water harbor so that white people can build their house there in barbuda, this Gaston commit treason against the people of this country. So if a white man tell or pay rather Gaston brown to move VC bird airport for a white man to build his house he would do so as he is doing to Barbuda river dock.
@gaston: how me go cut ties? And when america try extradite me and Antiguan remove me from power I will have to run Venezuela to seek asylum where I won’t be touched, Russia would a be a great place but I offend Russia by selling the alpha Nero boat.
When the US stop sending their people and goods here, let’s see what go happen. Antigua will be the new China.
There are FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC AND TRADE EMBARGO SANCTIONS IMPOSED BY THE U.S GOVERNMENT ON VENEZUELA AND CUBA.CUBA IS ALSO ON THE U.S LIST OF STATE SPONSORS OF TERROISM.IT APPEARS GASTON BROWN IS UNDERMININGG THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
NOTE:ON JANUARY 10 2025 PAST U.S BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RAISED BOUNTY FOR NICHOLAS MADURO TO 25 MILLION U.S DOLLARS.