Venezuelan Ambassador says uprising does not affect PetroCaribe

Yoel del Valle Pérez Marcano

Violent protests continue to rock Venezuela, where the government is coming under heavy pressure from opposition parties. But according to news reports, even as the unrest continues, a rift between the two main opposition leaders has been exposed. On Wednesday, the Venezuelan Ambassador spoke about the uprising, tonight he tells us about the Petrocaribe Agreement and if it will continue to flow to some eighteen countries given Venezuela’s economic woes.

Yoel del Valle Pérez Marcano, Venezuelan Ambassador (Translated)

“We believe that the events that are taking place in Venezuela will not affect the development of Petro Caribe as an oil provider to countries which are capable of paying to the program. In the first place, this is our government’s firm decision to maintain a program that is essential, not only to economies of our neighboring countries, but also to our political stability. If Petro Caribe would cease to exist, then that would affect job creation, economic development and political stability. Last November, we approved in Nicaraguathe creation of a Petro Caribe Economic Zone, which not only includes the 18 countries of Petro Caribe, but also the member countries of ALBA that were not a part of Petro Caribe. The purpose of this is to develop five fundamental initiatives for the region:in transportation, infrastructure, education, tourism and agriculture. Those who wish to eliminate Petro Caribe are those who are in Opposition. They believe that Petro Caribe’s functionis to give away our petroleum. But the fact is that all the governments that form part of Petro Caribe need to fulfill their agreements on a long-term basis. The relationship we have with Belize is an excellent one. Last September we negotiated the provision of four thousand five hundred barrels of oil daily. At the moment it is only diesel, but soon we will be providing other oil bi-products to Belize. Belize has been very responsible in its obligations to Petro Caribe. In March, the president of PDV Caribe will be coming to Belize in order to negotiate some new business opportunities with the country of Belize.”