The Bolivarian University of Venezuela (UBV) conferred this Thursday (Nov. 3rd)
the Doctorate Honoris Causa to the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, for his important contribution against
the aggressions of the imperial power groups, and his unrestricted defence of
counter-hegemonic projects, as well as his fraternity with the Latin American
peoples.
During the activity, held in the “Gastón Parra Luzardo” auditorium of the Central
Bank of Venezuela (BCV), the rector of the UBV, Sandra Oblitas, said that
Gonsalves is an undisputed leader of the Caribbean and highlighted the merits
of his political, academic, cultural and humanist career in favour of the
emancipation of his people and the struggle “for their dignity and true social
justice”.
“Undoubtedly, we are in the presence of one of the most significant contemporary
figures of this century, a political leader, activist and intellectual, but above all a
human being with a great heart”, said the academic about the Vincentian
revolutionary leader.
Dr. Gonsalves expressed his gratitude for this great recognition and reaffirmed the
commitment of his Government and the social movements of his country to uphold
the principles of sovereignty unconditionally, “without hesitation at any time”.
“This activity in which we participate today is not only symbolic of all that we
have done in our civilisation of Latin America and the Caribbean, but focuses on
the importance of secondary and tertiary education for the construction of a post-
colonial, diversified and strong economy”, Gonsalves emphasised.
In this regard, he highlighted the efforts of countries such as Venezuela and Cuba
within the framework of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America –
Peoples’ Trade Agreement (ALBA-TCP), “in order to promote an education
revolution”, essential “for our peoples to reach the standards of living and
production, which is congruent with the high values of humanity”.
On several occasions, the Prime Minister of the Caribbean nation has reaffirmed
that Venezuela and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are “very close peoples,
and he hopes that this solidarity and close relationship will last forever”.
Venezuela and St. Vincent and the Grenadines maintain bilateral cooperation
ties in financial, energy, trade, fiscal, tourism and security matters.