Caribbean Times 93rd issue - Wednesday 20th April 2016

24 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Wednesday 20th April 2016
Simon Bolivar Monument
reopened on 206 th anniversary
of Venezuelan Independence
By Justin Peters
In a ceremony, yesterday,
that also marked the
206 th anniversary of the Republic
of Venezuala’s independence
from Spain, the
Simon Bolivar Monument
in Simon Bolivar Square
was re-opened.
Representatives of the
governments of Antigua
and Barbuda and Venezuela
along with the diplomatic
core gathered for the short
ceremony.
The students of the Simon
Bolivar Pre-shcool
were also present to experience
the historical ceremony.
The ceremony also
served as a re-affirmation
of the strong diplomatic
ties between the nation of
Antigua and Barbuda and
the Republic of Venezuela.
Giving a brief history
of the revolution that led to
the the independence of the
South American country,
Venezuelan Ambassador to
Antigua and Barbuda, His
Excellency Carlos Perez,
recounted how revolutionary
Simon Bolivar helped
free Venezuela from the
rule of Ferdinand the 7 th of
Spain to become the first
South American Colony to
be independent from Spain.
He expressed the significance
of the event which
also represented the strong
relationship between the
Republic of Venezuela and
the twin island nation of
Antigua and Barbuda.
The ceremonial ribbon
was cut jointly by Minister
of Foreign Affairs and Immigration,
the Honourable
Max Fernandez and Venezuelan
Ambassador to Antigua
and Barbuda, His Excellency
Carlos Perez once
again concreting the commitment
of both governments
to working together.