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PM meets Maduro

HeadlinePM meets Maduro

Photo: Prime Minister Briceño and President Maduro

PM Briceño visits Venezuelan prez to discuss Petrocaribe, debt and more

by Kory Leslie (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Nov. 28, 2022

The Prime Minister and a delegation consisting of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Eamon Courtenay; Financial Advisor, Ambassador Mark Espat; H.E. Ambassador Oscar Arnold; and Governor of the Central Bank of Belize, Mr. Kareem Michael, left the country last week en route to Caracas, Venezuela for a diplomatic visit with Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. While there, Hon. Briceño, who was invited by President Maduro in September of last year when the two leaders attended the CELAC Summit in Mexico City, visited Maduro at his home in Miraflores Palace, where the two signed a joint declaration committing to the fortifying of relationships between Belize and Venezuela.

According to a press release issued on Monday by the Government of Belize Press Office, Prime Minister Briceño and President Maduro also agreed to work together in drafting agreements in trade, energy, tourism, communications, air connectivity, education, culture and housing. Future commitments will reportedly also include a renewal of the Petrocaribe program, which was discontinued in 2019 following US sanctions against Venezuela, stagnation in oil production and other hardships within the country.

The release stated that “Petrocaribe was being renewed and expanded to cover products, in addition to petroleum, and that Belize would continue to be one of the beneficiaries”. Hon. Briceño welcomed the resumption of the program and commended the efforts of the former Venezuelan president, Comandante Hugo Chavez (now deceased) who originally founded the alliance in 2005. Upon his return, PM Briceño reiterated his high hopes for the return of Petrocaribe and stated in an interview that he doesn’t believe this would have any negative impact on Belize’s relations with the United States due to the US sanctions against Venezuela.:

“When we met with Secretary of State Blinken, we mentioned about the possibility of Venezuela, our strengthened relationship. Talking about the possibility of the United States one day trying to ease up their restrictions, especially for the region, for us in the Caribbean, the Petrocaribe program that has played a critical role in the entire region. And we discussed all of these issues with the Secretary of State. And if you were to follow the news, I think it was on Friday it was announced that I think Chevron was given the green light to start oil exploration. An American company to start oil exploration and extraction in Venezuela,” Hon. Briceño said.

The meeting reportedly also covered other key aspects of Belize’s debt to Venezuela and included negotiations to formalize a new agreement where that debt is concerned. A large debt reduction for Belize was reportedly addressed. Other key matters discussed included both parties’ respect for the Charter of the United Nations, international law and Bandung Principles which guide the Non-Aligned Movement. Talks were also centered on Venezuelan-backed relief, specifically through affordable housing, due to the aftermath of Hurricane Lisa, as well as fertilizer for farmers.

The Prime Minister has invited President Maduro for an official visit to Belize which will occur at a “convenient” time in 2023.

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