By Staff Writer
ROSEAU, Dominica, Apr 7, CMC – The Dominica government Tuesday said that the arrival of a Venezuelan Navy training vessel, the “AB Simón Bolívar (BE-11)”, is intended to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
A total of 216 people are sailing aboard the ship, including 120 cadets from the Bolivarian Navy and other academies of the Bolivarian Military University. The 36th training cruise abroad mission titled “Seas of Unity for the Dream of Bolívar 2026” will last approximately three months and will visit five Caribbean countries.
“Your presence here represents something greater. The relationship between the Commonwealth and Dominica and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has, over the years, been characterised by solidarity, mutual respect and cooperation,” Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Vince Henderson, told a welcoming and plaque exchange ceremony on Tuesday.
“Our engagement has been strengthened through initiatives such as energy cooperation under the Petro-Caribbean framework as well as broader regional collaboration within CARICOM and other multilateral fora. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to sustainable development, resilience, and the advancement of our people.”
Henderson said that Dominica and Venezuela stand as bilateral partners ”united by common principles and your presence here today reinforces those shared ideals.
“It is through such engagements that we continue to build bridges of understanding, deepen diplomatic ties, and foster people-to-people connections that endure beyond official exchanges,” Henderson said.
The Minister for Youth with responsibility for the Cadet Corps, Greta Roberts, said the presence of the Venezuelan officers should be regarded as ambassadors of the South American country.
“To serve your country in this way, to commit yourselves to discipline, leadership, and learning, and to travel across the seas in the spirit of training and exchange is truly admirable.
“We understand that this voyage is part of a broader training mission that sharpens your skills as future naval officers and allows you to engage with the cultures, histories, and people of the Caribbean and beyond.
“Indeed, you can be described as ambassadors (2:26) carrying messages of friendship, cooperation, and peace. And this is why your presence here in Dominica is so meaningful,” she said, noting that beyond its natural beauty “we are a country deeply committed to building strong relationships with our neighbours and partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Venezuela”.
CMC/fh/ir2026