Antigua PM says Venezuela Stood by Barbuda—Now It’s Our Turn to Help

Browne: If Antigua Had US$3 Million, It Would Give It to Venezuela

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda would have matched Venezuela’s US$3 million contribution to the country’s Hurricane Irma recovery if it had the financial means, as the government moves to assist the South American nation following last week’s devastating earthquakes.

Speaking during his weekly Pointe FM programme on Saturday, Browne said the government’s US$150,000 humanitarian donation reflects the country’s gratitude for the support Venezuela provided after Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017.

“They were easily one of the largest contributors to our recovery efforts. So we feel obliged to assist, even though modest. If we had US$3 million to reciprocate, we would have given them that or even more. But we have very modest means,” Browne said.

The prime minister said Venezuela was among the first countries to respond after Hurricane Irma destroyed much of Barbuda, sending two aircraft to evacuate the island’s residents to Antigua and providing US$3 million to support recovery efforts.

“They were the first responders after Barbuda was decimated by Hurricane Irma. They not only sent two aircraft to help us evacuate the residents there, they also made a contribution at the time of US$3 million,” Browne said.

Browne said Antigua and Barbuda has already committed US$150,000 in humanitarian assistance and is seeking to increase that contribution.

“So it’s US$150,000 to start. I’m actually trying to raise at least another US$100,000. I’ve spoken to a few other government agencies, and even West Indies Oil Company, in which the government has shares, to make some contributions. So we hope to increase that amount,” he said.

He said the initial US$150,000 will be dispatched on Monday to assist Venezuela’s relief and recovery efforts following the earthquakes.

Browne also said he had already conveyed Antigua and Barbuda’s condolences to Interim President Delcy Rodríguez and assured her that the country stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people.

“I would have indicated to her and her government that we are standing in solidarity with the government and people of Venezuela,” he said.

The prime minister expressed confidence that Venezuela would recover from the disaster, drawing a comparison with Barbuda’s recovery after Hurricane Irma.

“We continue to pray for their safety and for their speedy recovery. We have no doubt that, based on their resilience, they will not only bounce back, but they will bounce forward, just as what we did in the case of Barbuda,” Browne said.

Earlier in the programme, a statement issued by Browne announcing the government’s US$150,000 donation was read on air. The statement said the contribution was being made “in the spirit of friendship, gratitude, and Caribbean and Latin American solidarity” and pledged to explore additional practical assistance as Venezuela begins its recovery.

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