by Tiana Cole | HGP NIGHTLY NEWS
Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela Reaffirm Diplomatic Ties Amid Tensions
Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela have committed to keeping diplomatic channels open following a recent dispute sparked by allegations that mercenaries had traveled to Venezuela from Trinidad.
According to a release from Trinidad’s Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Minister Seon Soers recently met with Venezuelan Ambassador Alvaro Sanchez Cordero during a courtesy call. Both officials acknowledged the long-standing fraternal ties between their nations, stressing the importance of cultural and historical connections.
While the statement did not go into specific details about the recent events, it confirmed that Trinidad has requested further information from Venezuela regarding the incident. Discussions during the meeting also addressed broader matters of mutual interest and concern.
St. Vincent Sets Aside EC$120M for Hurricane Response
With the official start of the hurricane season, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has allocated EC$120 million to boost its disaster preparedness and response.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves emphasized the importance of financial readiness, referencing previous emergencies like Hurricane Elsa, the La Soufrière volcanic eruptions, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the allocated sum, EC$50 million has already been placed in a dedicated contingency fund—financed by one percentage point of the country’s 16% VAT.
Dr. Gonsalves also mentioned that the government typically accesses emergency funding from the Caribbean Development Bank after initial local response expenses have been made.
Colombian Senator Shot at Campaign Event
In Colombia, Senator Miguel Uribe, a potential presidential candidate, remains in critical but stable condition after being shot in the head during a campaign rally in Bogotá.
Uribe, 39, of the right-wing Democratic Center Party, was addressing supporters in a public park when the incident occurred. The attack, captured on video, has deeply shaken the nation, triggering memories of Colombia’s past political violence.
President Gustavo Petro condemned the shooting and announced increased security measures for opposition leaders in light of ongoing threats.
