On Wednesday evening, as part of the ceremony to celebrate the 206th anniversary of Venezuela's independence, Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant, present at the ceremony, said in his speech :

"The Haitian people and Government are invited on 5 July each year to renew their fraternal friendship with the Venezuelan people. My presence testifies of the solidarity of the Head of State, of the Government and the people of Haiti, to the people of Venezuela.

I invite young people to draw on the dream cherished by Simon Bolivar to rebuild Peace and unity in respect for differences.

I am one of those who believe that the solution to the Venezuelan problems can only come from the Venezuelans themselves.

I would be remiss if I did not underline the acts of the Venezuelan people with the Haitian people. This is reflected in the welcome to our brothers and sisters in Venezuela and the PetroCaribe program, which enabled the Haitian state to respond to certain expectations of our populations in difficult times.

I would like to express our appreciation to the Venezuelan people for these marks of brotherhood, solidarity and friendship.

I renew the vows of progress, unity, concord and Peace for the people of Venezuela."

HL/ HaitiLibre