Venezuelan Ambassador to Saint Lucia Leiff Escalona has underscored her country’s commitment to regional solidarity and peace, while expressing concern over the resumption of military exercises in Trinidad and Tobago, conducted with the support of the United States.
“Recently, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela delivered 46 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Cuba and Jamaica, both severely affected by Hurricane Melissa. The shipment included food, medicines, medical supplies, mattresses, and other essential resources to address the most urgent needs of the affected communities,” Escalona announced Wednesday. She specified that Cuba received 26 tonnes and Jamaica 20.
“As our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yvan Gil, emphasised, while other countries focus on threatening and destabilising the Caribbean, Venezuela and ALBA remain firm, offering cooperation, peace and solidarity,” she told a news conference.
Escalona proceeded to brief the media on recent developments within Venezuela, including measures taken by President Nicolás Maduro in response to what she described as “imperial threats approaching Venezuela’s coast”.
“The presence of the United States Navy in our region represents the largest military deployment since the first Gulf War and violates the declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace established by CELAC in 2014,” she stated.
The United States has characterised its increased naval presence as part of a broader regional security initiative aimed at countering transnational crime, enhancing maritime cooperation, and safeguarding freedom of navigation. Nonetheless, Ambassador Escalona contended that the deployment is accompanied by “war propaganda and psychological operations intended to divide our forces and promote regime change, in clear violation of international law”.
She affirmed that the Venezuelan people remain vigilant and fully mobilised, while emphasising that Maduro “does not want any escalation of the conflict”.
Last week, the President convened a meeting with Christian and evangelical leaders to underscore the importance of praying for peace.
However, the ambassador cautioned, “Let there be no confusion, praying does not mean Venezuela is unprepared to face any circumstance. Across all Bolívar squares, political engagement is combined with prayer.”
According to Escalona, Venezuelans have embarked on a week of activities to demonstrate national unity and resolve, including vigils, cultural events and territorial defence exercises.
She welcomed CARICOM’s recent statement reaffirming the Caribbean as a zone of peace and expressed confidence in the regional body’s capacity to facilitate dialogue between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. She further noted that diplomatic relations remain intact, with the Venezuelan Embassy continuing operations in Port of Spain and Trinidad and Tobago maintaining its mission in Caracas.
