In September 1969, Barbados and Venezuela established diplomatic ties, and to mark the 52nd anniversary of relations, a virtual courtesy call was held with Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Sandra Husbands, and Venezuelan Chargé d’Affaires, Alvaro Sanchez Cordero.
During the courtesy call, Minister Husbands highlighted that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was the first South American country with which Barbados established diplomatic relations, and expressed the hope that the 52 years of warm and cordial relationship between the two countries would continue.
The Minister recalled the creation of the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation and noted that several business persons had benefitted from its programmes. She pointed out that cultural ties always underpinned the strengthening of relations between countries.
Chargé d’Affaires Cordero read a letter from his Foreign Minister, Feliz Placencia Gonzalez. Mr. Cordero stated that not only is September the anniversary of diplomatic relations, but it also marks the anniversary of the creation of the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation, and underscored that it is a prime example of the strong ties between the two countries.
Also participating in the virtual meeting were acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Donna Forde; Head of the Hemispheric Relations Division in the Ministry, John Blackman; Charge d’Affaires in the Barbados Embassy in Caracas, Colonel Aquinas Clarke, and First Secretary in the Venezuelan Embassy, Cesar Benedetti.