Mottley honoured as Barbados strengthens ties with Venezuela

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was awarded one of Venezuela’s top honours.

The Order of Liberators of Venezuela, first class, was conferred by President Nicolas Maduro.

The two leaders also engaged in bilateral talks, after which two agreements were signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kerrie Symmonds, who is part of the official delegation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kerrie Symmonds, after the signing of one of the agreements. In the background is Prime Minister Mia Mottley (Picture courtesy PMO Barbados)

Symmonds inked an Air Services Agreement and an Agri-Food Sovereignty Agreement, respectively, with Minister of the People’s Power for Transportation and Executive Director of Conviasa, Ramón C. Velásquez Araguayán and Minister of Productive Agriculture and Lands, Wilmar Castro Soteldo.

Mottley and Maduro then signed a Joint Declaration.

Earlier, the Prime Minister visited the Palacio de Miraflores, the official residence of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. There was an Inspection of the Guard of Honour by both leaders.

The national anthems of Barbados and Venezuela were played and sung by the Presidential Honour Guard. Each leader introduced the other to the members of their delegation and then they were entertained by a local entertainment group who played and sang RPB’s Something’s Happening.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley and President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela sign the Joint Declaration. (Picture courtesy PMO Barbados)

Mottley, Symmonds, and CARICOM Ambassador David Comissiong are among the delegation which arrived in Venezuela just after 11 a.m. yesterday on board a Conviasa aircraft, flag carrier and largest airline of Venezuela.

Mottley was met at the bottom of the stairs of the aircraft by Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil. (PR/SAT)