The Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda have learned with profound sadness of the devastating earthquakes that have struck the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, causing tragic loss of life, injuries to many, and widespread destruction of homes, public infrastructure, and livelihoods.
On behalf of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, and on my own behalf, I extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and express our heartfelt sympathy to Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, the Government of Venezuela, and the entire Venezuelan people at this time of immense grief and hardship.
The people of Antigua and Barbuda know from painful experience the anguish and uncertainty that accompany such disasters. We also know the immeasurable value of genuine friendship and timely assistance.
When Hurricane Irma devastated Barbuda in September 2017, Venezuela responded immediately and generously. At a moment when our sister island had become uninhabitable, the Government of Venezuela made available aircraft to transport the entire population of Barbuda to safety in Antigua. That compassionate act of solidarity and good neighbourliness remains deeply etched in the memory of our nation. It is an expression of friendship that Antiguans and Barbudans will never forget.
Today, it is our turn to stand with the people of Venezuela.
Accordingly, I am pleased to announce that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will make a humanitarian contribution of US$150,000 to the Government of Venezuela to assist in providing relief to those affected by this terrible disaster. While modest in comparison to the scale of the need, this contribution is offered in the spirit of friendship, gratitude, and Caribbean and Latin American solidarity.
We also stand ready to explore, together with the Venezuelan authorities and regional partners, any additional practical assistance that Antigua and Barbuda may be able to provide as relief efforts continue and the long process of recovery and reconstruction begins.
Natural disasters remind us that no nation is immune to the forces of nature and that our greatest strength lies in our shared humanity and our willingness to help one another in times of adversity.
The thoughts and prayers of the people of Antigua and Barbuda are with the people of Venezuela. We are confident that, with the resilience and courage for which they are renowned, they will overcome this tragedy and rebuild their communities.
May those who lost their lives rest in eternal peace, may the injured recover swiftly, and may comfort and hope sustain the people of Venezuela in the difficult days ahead.
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I’m so pleased that Prime Minister Gaston Browne has come out so quickly about the devastating earthquake that has recently taken place in Venezuela 🇻🇪
A good response by our Prime Minister 👏🏾
But there’s a couple of things that baffles and niggles me about this immediate reaction (and I’m still very aware to not upset he supporters).
1. When Venezuela’s 🇻🇪 leader was captured by the Americans, I don’t recall the same speed of reaction or condemnation of the kidnapping
2. And which is rather troubling for Antiguans living here. Why is it that when we’ve witnessed rising gun crimes; home invasions on the elderly; and single women living on their own being attacked; and the heinous rise in sexual offences against underage girls, and there’s not the same sort of public address as the Venezuelan earthquake?
Now don’t get me wrong Gastonites, I’m just asking some serious questions. I mean I could be totally misunderstanding YOUR Prime Minister, but I’m generally flummoxed by his reactions to certain crises abroad but not at home.
MAYBE Y’ALL CAN ENLIGHTEN ME 👍🏾
Again, isn’t Gaston amazing?
Duh!
There is no millions to be made from addressing the crime problem in Antigua, in fact there are millions for his government to lose, and GB is not about that..
Unlike Venezuela, there are millions in oil money to be made, and the WIOC is heavily invested in that..so duh!
Follow the money Brix..a rich person is only interested in where his money is tied to..
And for the record, the slums in Venezuela were created by their corrupt government, with terrible infrastructure plans..All the billions in oil money should have been invested in the people, but instead the Chavez government isolated his opposition and neglected their plight for a better living.. The Maduro regime came in a follow those same damn policies.those are the facts here.
Ask almost any Venezuelan living in Antigua, and they will tell you the same thing..this once was the richest country in the southern hemisphere.
Put that into perspective.
Antigua wasn’t in partnership with the Venezuelans people, they were in partnership with a oil empire lead by a corrupt dictator..get the distinction correct Sir.
Half truth is still a lie.
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