Dominica welcomes the Venezuelan Navy training ship AB Simón Bolívar to Roseau, hosting a ceremony to celebrate the enduring diplomatic ties.
Dominica: The Government shared that the training vessel’s arrival in the country will continue to strengthen Dominica’s and Venezuela’s diplomatic ties.
On Monday, April 6, 2026, Dominica welcomed the Venezuelan Navy training ship, AB Simón Bolívar (BE-11), in its waters as part of the vessel’s 36th Training Cruise Abroad mission titled “Seas of Unity for the Dream of Bolívar 2026.” The vessel carried a total of 216 people, some (120) of whom were cadets from the Bolivarian Navy and other academies of the Bolivarian Military University.
The Government of Dominica held a welcoming ceremony the following day where both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Youth were present. During the welcoming ceremony, plaques were also exchanged to commemorate the vessel’s official visit.
In his address at the welcoming ceremony, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Henderson, welcomed the officers and spoke of the long-standing relationship between Dominica and Venezuela, noting that their arrival is a reflection of the that.
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, stated Minister Vincent Henderson.
The Foreign Affairs Minister added that both countries share the same principles and that engagements like the flagship and training ship’s arrival will continue to solidify those ideals and expand the countries’ connections past formal diplomatic engagements to deeper cooperation among their citizens.
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, added the Minister.
Minister for Youth with responsibility for the Cadet Corps, Greta Roberts, also addressed the crowd, commending the Venezuelan officers for their service, stating that their commitment is something to be admired.
Minister Greta further reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fostering meaningful relationships within the region and beyond, declaring, “We are a country deeply committed to building strong relationships with our neighbours and partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Venezuela.”
The training mission is set to last for approximately three months as the officers visit five Caribbean countries.