Barbados and Venezuela Sign a Sweeping Declaration in Caracas
BARBADOS · DIPLOMACY Key Facts —What happened: Barbados and Venezuela signed a joint declaration in Caracas on August 24 covering energy, food, education and transport. —The energy piece: Venezuela will train Barbadian technicians and assist with onshore oil exploration and field recovery. —The catch: Most chapters are intentions, not signed contracts; the tourism accord and […] The post Barbados…
Barbados and Venezuela inked a significant joint declaration in Caracas on August 24, 2026, addressing various sectors including energy, agriculture, fisheries, education, culture, tourism, and transportation. The document, signed by Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, covers a broad range of cooperation areas.
In the energy sector, Venezuela committed to training Barbadian technicians and aiding with onshore oil exploration and field recovery. This joint effort is crucial for Barbados, which heavily imports fuel and food, as it promises cheaper energy expertise and new trade routes. Most of the declaration's chapters are outlined as intentions rather than fully signed contracts, with pending topics including the tourism accord and cargo route.
The humanitarian aspect of the visit was particularly poignant, as Barbados had previously sent rescuers and a field hospital to Venezuela following the June earthquakes, treating over 2,600 patients. Mottley's visit to the hospital in Guarenas underscored the deep humanitarian ties between the two nations.
Economically, both countries agreed to explore investment in renewable energy and related infrastructure, aiming for Barbados to run entirely on renewable energy by 2030. Food security will also be a priority, with a joint work plan focusing on climate change resilience, agricultural development, livestock management, soil health, and research. Investment in agricultural land is also on the table.
In education, the declaration promises student and teacher exchanges, scholarships, and mutual recognition of qualifications. For transportation, both nations aim to develop commercial shipping services, a direct maritime cargo route, and promote the Bridgetown–Porlamar–Caracas air route, positioning themselves as transit hubs for the southern Caribbean.
The declaration is a first step towards deeper bilateral cooperation, with the foreign ministries required to report progress every six months. The next upcoming milestones include the promised tourism agreement within weeks, and the first binational tourism meeting planned for 2027. The real test for the agreements will come with the signing of the first bilateral contracts, though none of the chapters have specific financial figures attached.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
