Secretary-general of Portugal’s Socialist Party José Luís Carneiro said on Sunday before leaving Venezuela following a four-day visit, that the country’s foreign minister, Yván Gil, is willing to look into the situation of at least four Luso-Venezuelans, detained as political prisoners.
“It was with great satisfaction, and it was with a very constructive attitude that this meeting took place. Yván Gil left a word of great consideration for the Portuguese and Luso-descendants who are here, and also expressed his willingness to monitor these issues that arise regarding the Portuguese who are still detained,” Mr Carneiro told Lusa.
“It was a very constructive meeting in which a word of special greeting was conveyed to us from President Delcy Rodriguez, who asked for understanding regarding the fact that yesterday (Saturday) there was a last-minute programme change that prevented us from meeting during the available time,” he began by explaining.
The PS leader went on to stress that Yván Gil was very willing to address the issues presented to him, namely the matter of the detained Portuguese, for whom Mr Carneiro requested “special consideration.”
“Furthermore, he promised the continuity of proximity, support, and appreciation for the Portuguese community in Venezuela.”.
José Luís Carneiro added that he conveyed his “hope that the political transition to democracy will be a political transition with stability and one that allows for the full realisation of the opportunities of a country that has immense potential throughout Central and Latin America.”
“Once again, a very clear word was also left regarding the importance that the Portuguese community has for the country’s economy and for the very life of social, cultural, and Portuguese language institutions,” he said.
José Luís Carneiro began a four-day visit to Venezuela on Thursday, accompanied by the president of the PS parliamentary group, Eurico Brilhante Dias, and the head of the PS Portuguese Communities department, Paulo Pisco.
During the trip, he met with the speaker of parliament’s Energy and Petroleum Commission, Luso-descendant Orlando Camacho, who also chairs the Venezuela-Portugal Parliamentary Friendship Group, as well as with the vice speaker Pedro Infante and former Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza.
The visit’s agenda also included a meeting with the president of the Presidential Commission for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, Francisco Garcês.
Mr Carneiro visited the Central University of Venezuela and the non-governmental organisation Regala Una Sonrisa (Give a Smile), and met with representatives of local Portuguese institutions and Portuguese citizens in Caracas, Los Teques, Maracay, Valencia, and La Guaira.
Although not on the initial agenda, an audience between the PS secretary-general and the President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, had been scheduled for Saturday but was cancelled due to an unforeseen eleventh-hour event.
Source: LUSA
