Slapping Venezuela?
ARE we sidelining Venezuela? There now exists a disagreement between the Government and the Opposition over how the 49 per cent stake that Venezuela owns in the Kingston-based oil refinery, Petrojam, should be handled.
Later last week, it emerged that Jamaica had voted in support of a resolution moved by the Organization of American States to not recognise the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro as President of that oil-rich South American state, while contrarily sending its ambassador to Maduro’s swearing in ceremony almost simultaneously.
All I can say is that we should always remember how well Jamaica has been treated by Venezuela over the years, starting from when Michael Manley’s good friend, Carlos Andres Perez was president through to the best of them all — Hugo Chavez.
The Venezuelans have gone beyond the call of duty in answering Jamaica’s wishes over the past 45 years. Caution should be displayed that it does not come across as ungrateful now, seeing that Venezuela is in such an economic jam, that Jamaica is abandoning them. Nothing beats negotiation, even if it takes long.
I wonder if there are powerful external forces at work here.
We must never forget our true friends, worse when their backs are against the wall. I don’t feel good as a human being with what has occurred. Venezuela will rebound, Maduro or no Maduro.