On Monday, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley arrived in Venezuela on an official visit to advance a broad agenda aimed at consolidating bilateral cooperation and the integration of the peoples of the Caribbean.
Upon her arrival at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira, Mottley was received with honors by high-ranking Venezuelan officials, beginning an official visit that transcends the frameworks of traditional diplomacy.
Among the highlights of her stay, a tour of the “Socialist Faith” socioproductive commune in the historic 23 de Enero parish in Caracas stands out. Mottley witnessed firsthand the advances of the communal economy.
This visit seeks to show firsthand the model of territorial organization promoted by the Venezuelan government, focused on popular participation, community self-management, and local production as axes of social development within the Chavista socialist project.
Mottley’s visit takes place within a relationship of mutual solidarity that has strengthened in recent years. In 2023, both nations signed important agreements in air services and agrofood sovereignty, as well as a joint declaration aimed at guaranteeing food security and shared economic development.
Alongside Acting President Rodríguez, the Barbadian prime minister also visited an emergency campaign hospital supplied by Barbados following the June 24 earthquakes to help the Venezuelan people deal with the catastrophic natural disaster. During the visit, Rodríguez reported that a joint bilateral commission is being created with Barbados for the first time.
Likewise, relations between Caracas and Bridgetown stand out for their reciprocity and support in times of need, including the support provided by Barbados in response to Venezuela’s earthquakes.
With this new meeting, Venezuela and Barbados reaffirm their commitment to Latin American and Caribbean unity, promoting joint work schemes based on sovereignty and mutual benefit within the region.
At the end of April 2026, Acting President Rodríguez agreed with Mottley to advance a joint agenda focused on energy, food production, and tourism, in addition to extending an invitation to Barbados to invest in the Venezuelan oil sector.
During a press conference at the end of the Miraflores Palace meeting, both officials reviewed the bilateral roadmap focused on energy sovereignty, agricultural production, and regional connectivity. They formally announced the formation of the economic and commercial union between the two nations.
The meeting was attended by the Venezuelan ministerial team, including Education Minister Héctor Rodríguez, Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia, Agriculture Minister Vladimir Padrino, Tourism Minister Daniella Cabello, Oil Minister Paula Henao, Fisheries Minister Juan Carlos Loyo, and Transport Minister Francisco Garcés.
Along with the Barbadian delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Christopher P. Sinckler, Ambassador to Venezuela Aquinas J. Clarke, and Defense Forces Chief of Staff Brigadier General Carlos Lovell.
A joint declaration was signed by Rodríguez and Mottley following the high-level meeting to address issues related to education, agricultural production, tourism, and energy. No further details about the nature of the declaration were provided.
Rodríguez highlighted that the April 27 meeting marked the official birth of said economic and commercial bloc. In the tourism sector, the increase in air frequencies between Venezuela and Barbados was proposed, with the possibility of integrating destinations of neighboring countries through shared tourist packages.
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Rodríguez’s April visit to Barbados represented her second trip abroad since assuming the acting presidency on January 5, after the January 3 US bombing of Venezuela to kidnap President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Deputy Cilia Flores.
(Telesur) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
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