“Count on us,” Venezuela says as relief arrives in SVG

By Demion McTair. Updated 6:07 p.m., Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Kingstown, St. Vincent: Some 20 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies arrived Monday in St. Vincent from the Government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The relief items arrived at Port Kingstown on Monday on the Bolivarian Navy Ship – AB Gaojira (T-63).

They have been sent as a humanitarian response to the ongoing explosive eruption of the La Soufriere volcano which has displaced thousands.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony at Port Kingstown, Raúl LiCausi, Vice Minister for the Caribbean from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela said the relief items include 17,000 liters of water, beds, and kits for the health of people in shelters.

In the foreground (center) is Raúl LiCausi, Vice Minister for the Caribbean from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Raúl LiCausi wished the country well and promised Venezuela’s continued support to the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Count on us,” Raúl LiCausi said

He added that Venezuela is building an emergency bridge between the South American nation and St. Vincent through nearby countries to provide assistance where needed.

Venezuela has been a longstanding friend of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Vincent has stood firm on its friendship with Venezuela, as an advocate for non-intervention in the South American nation, which has been facing an economic and political crisis since 2013.