Caracas, November 28, 2024. As part of efforts to strengthen the strategic relationship between Venezuela and Antigua and Barbuda, a Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Cooperation in various areas of mutual interest was signed this Thursday at the ALBA-TCP headquarters. The agreement was formalized between the Venezuelan People’s Power Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and Blue Economy of the Caribbean island nation.

During the event, Jorge Arreaza, Executive Secretary of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Gaston Browne “for his trust in ALBA, his trust in Venezuela, and, of course, for taking the initiative to join Agroalba.”

Arreaza underscored the importance of uniting efforts in the “production of food for life, which can contribute to the social prosperity of our peoples, our youth, and the future of Caribbean nations.” He also highlighted that this is the second agreement signed under Agroalba, the first having been recently formalized with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Furthermore, he emphasized that this agreement represents a win-win relationship: “Undoubtedly, this is a win-win agreement for all the Bolivarian Alliance countries that join,” while noting that African countries have also expressed interest in participating in Agroalba.

On the other hand, the Venezuelan People’s Power Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yván Gil, explained that this alliance is designed to function as a synergy mechanism aimed at fortifying the agricultural and food systems of the peoples involved.

Gil remarked, “This is a project that not only supports the food sovereignty of ALBA countries but also represents an important economic development opportunity for the agricultural sector of our people (…) It is a truly revolutionary alternative, as it goes beyond economic ends. While we want economic sectors to progress, invest, and develop, the ultimate goal is integration, joint growth, the exchange of experiences, and, above all, ensuring food security.”

Additionally, Venezuela’s People’s Power Minister for Productive Agriculture and Lands, Menry Fernández, affirmed that this memorandum “will ensure for our people the greatest possible happiness and the highest levels of agro-food security and sovereignty.”

Anthony Smith, Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and Blue Economy of Antigua and Barbuda, highlighted that “these are critical programs designed to combat poverty and support the eradication of social challenges. They also help promote the active participation of our citizens in defending our independence and sovereignty as ALBA members, based on solidarity and cooperation.”

It is worth noting that the event was also attended by Alex Saab, People’s Power Minister for Industries and President of the International Center for Productive Investment (CIIP in Spanish), as well as Camila Fabri, Venezuela’s Vice Minister of International Communication.