The Venezuelan Training Ship AB “Simon Bolivar” arrived in Barbados on Sunday, April 16, as part of a training exercise.
And, in welcoming the Captain of the training ship, Commander Jesús David Moreno Jimenez, while at the Bridgetown Port today, Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, David Comissiong, noted that this was the fourth time the vessel had visited the island. He added that this time was special because it was the first berth since Barbados became a Republic.
Ambassador Comissiong highlighted that the name of the ship, “Simon Bolivar”, is symbolic, as it was named after the gentleman who initiated the republican movement within the western hemisphere.
The Ambassador stated that the visit of the “Simon Bolivar” is a wonderful example of comradeship and solidarity between the people of Barbados and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Captain Moreno said he was happy to be here and that he and his crew had received a warm welcome from the people and Government of Barbados. He added that the “Caribbean Sea unites us as brothers and sisters”.
Also welcoming the Captain and crew of the ship were Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Barbados in Venezuela, Commander Aquinas Clarke; Foreign Service Officer II, Stefan Carrington-Henry; Venezuela’s Chargé d’affaires, Martha Gabriela Ortega Peraza, and First Secretary in the Venezuelan Embassy, César Benedetti.
Barbados established diplomatic relations with Venezuela on September 25, 1969. The “Simon Bolivar”, which arrived with a crew of 163 members, including 64 cadets, departs Barbados tomorrow and will visit St Kitts, Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia.