From there, the Venezuelan Navy hosted the press on their sprawling and luxurious vessel known as "Buque Escuela Simon Bolivar". We show you a bit of that ship, but that trip aboard afforded us an opportunity to speak with the Venezuelan Ambassador to Belize about the controversial positions when discussing PetroCaribe spending.
Recently, Education Minister Patrick Faber came under fire for announcing that he took his Collet Constituents to Corozal for a family day of swimming and fun, a bill which the PetroCaribe Funds covered.
We asked the Ambassador if his Government assesses that kind of spending as either good or bad. He told us that this kind of judgment goes against the principles of the program to question a sovereign nation:
H.E Yoel Perez Marcano - Venezuelan Ambassador to Belize
"Rules for the Petrocaribe agreement are very much different from those of the IMF and the World Bank. We don't supervise. We don't control. We don't decide for a sovereign country. We issue our opinions. We put forward recommendations. We proposed initiatives, but always in the framework of respect for the sovereignty and of the dignity of our sister countries which are part of Petrocaribe."
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, how much longer will the Petrocaribe program last? There are those who believe that the unrest in your country will bring it to an end earlier than is expected."
H.E Yoel Perez Marcano - Venezuelan Ambassador to Belize
"The Petrocaribe impact is for the long haul, because the people of Venezuela will keep a government that plays an important role and wants to promote solidarity and cooperation among our countries. We have already shown that during the crisis of the oil prices during this year. We showed that already in the crisis of 2007-2008. We have shown that through difficult years during the 15 years and even the manifestations against the government of Venezuela, we have shown that resolute."
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