(CARICOM Secretariat)  Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), His Excellency Michel Martelly, the President of Haiti, has stated that the name of His Excellency Hugo Chavez, the late President of Venezuela, will be “etched in the history of this Region.” In a note of condolence on behalf of CARICOM to the Government of Venezuela, the Chairman said the late President Chavez opened a new chapter in relations between the countries of CARICOM and Venezuela, “with his generosity and deep interest in the welfare of the peoples of the Community.”

Following is the full text of the message:

As Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), it is with great sadness that I extend my deepest sympathies to the Government and people of Venezuela on the death of the President of the Bolivarian Republic, His Excellency Hugo Chavez.

President Chavez opened a new chapter in relations between the countries of CARICOM and Venezuela, with his generosity and deep interest in the welfare of the peoples of the Community. His outstretched hand to support our countries during a time of great challenge will never be forgotten, in particular the generous assistance rendered by Venezuela to my country, Haiti, following the earthquake of 2010, as well as to other member states of the Community.

His desire to improve the lives of the less fortunate in his country, the Caribbean and in Latin America was the hallmark of his political life and ensured that his name would be etched in the history of this Region.

May the Government and People of Venezuela and the family of Mr. Chavez find solace in the memory of a leader who successfully sought to change the lives of many for the better.   I am confident that the inner strength and resilience of the Venezuelan people will ensure that they continue to build the society for which Hugo Chavez strived.