Since Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana Dario Morandy’s tenure began in August 2007, the Savannah Suite at the Pegasus has been the venue of the elegant receptions held every year in honour of Venezuela’s Independence Anniversary. The atmosphere this year was bitter/sweet as the special invitees knew that the event would be the last one, as the Ambassador beloved for his warm personality and benevolent acts, prepares to depart from Guyana’s shores.
At the event last Thursday evening, where Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Ministers of the Cabinet and Members of the Diplomatic Corp came to say their goodbyes, Morandy reiterated his country’s commitment to work incessantly for the integration of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Pointing out that  Bolivarian Socialism was an unprecedented process consisting of participative democracy, humanism, peace, social justice, anti-imperialism and equality among sovereign states and peoples, he pointed out that it was with these precepts as a fundamental orientation, that the Heads of State and Governments of Latin America met in Caracas to form the “Community of Latin American and Caribbean States” (CELAC) last year.
He noted that with the CELAC, we are marching towards a new model of integration in which solidarity, sovereignty, respect for human rights, participative democracy, peace and harmony with nature, prevail so that people can live with dignity.
He stated that the Union of South American nations (UNASUR), the PETROCARIBE Energy Agreement, the Bank of the South, the Bolivarian Alternative for the peoples of our America- ALBA and the CELAC are the expression of our new model of integration.
Mr. Morandy noted that bilateral relations have reached a historic level characterised by respect, fraternity and solidarity, said that in the last five years Venezuela and Guyana have achieved a relationship where there is harmonious cooperation, productive economic exchange and solidarity, cultural exchange and ongoing dialogue in search of concurrence.
The territorial controversy between Venezuela and Guyana, Morandy said, is a legacy of colonialism that is being discussed and will be resolved through diplomatic channels. He stressed that the issue would not be an obstacle in the process of reintegration of our peoples, as both nations are committed to the “Geneva Agreement” and the “Good Offices” process.
Referring to some important bilateral agreements, Morandy said that they cover a wide range of issues, agreements, projects and partnership programmes that include the supply of gasoline, diesel and asphalt in conditions of absolute solidarity within the framework of the PETROCARIBE Energy Agreement, the Road Link Project, the immediate inauguration and commissioning of the centre for the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of homeless persons, which has the capacity to attend to 300 persons, the Agreement for the Commercialisation of Rice, which contemplates the exportation of 200 tonnes to Venezuela this year, the project for the Improvement of the Cold Chain of Non-Traditional and Dairy Sectors, the International Scholarship Programme of Fundayacucho that will benefit a third contingent of Guyanese youth this year, the supply of Jet A1 fuel for Aircraft which is in the process of implementation and the supply of 5,000 tonnes of Urea on a yearly basis.
Of course no talk about Venezuela/Guyana relations would be complete without mention of the Venezuelan Institute of Culture and Cooperation, which now serves about 1,500 Guyanese on a permanent basis. The institute offers Spanish language courses to children and performs extensive social work which includes the training of over 700 women in various regions and communities for productive work. As the Ambassador put it, the institute is a piece of Venezuela at the service of the people.
The Ambassador who departs later this month will be replaced by Ms. Reina Arratia who is currently on diplomatic mission in Benin, Africa.