Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | On November 2, 2023, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni convened a meeting with the Venezuelan Envoys at State Lodge Nakasero, Uganda. The delegation comprised His Excellency Yvan Gil Pinto, the Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and Honorable Yuri Pimentel Moura, the Vice Minister for Africa in the Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
During the discussions, President Museveni extended a warm welcome to the Venezuelan envoys and expressed gratitude to his Venezuelan counterpart, His Excellency Nicolas Maduro, for facilitating their visit with the aim of fostering closer ties between the two nations.
President Museveni reflected on Uganda’s historical interactions with South American freedom fighters, mentioning previous contact with Fidel Castro of Cuba and the assistance received in establishing a medical school and engaging in trade exchanges. He paid tribute to President Maduro and the late President Hugo Chavez for their resolute stance against foreign interference, which had resulted in suffering for the people of Venezuela and Latin America as a whole.
In his remarks, President Museveni empathized with the challenges faced by indigenous populations and new arrivals in Latin America due to external interference. He noted that Africa had also grappled with ideological and strategic issues but had made progress in addressing them. He highlighted the success of African liberation movements and economic integration efforts, emphasizing the importance of regional and continental free trade zones in stimulating growth and transformation.
President Museveni underscored the need for similar integration in Latin America to achieve economic independence, emphasizing the potential for collaboration in various sectors such as energy, agriculture, health, and education. He also mentioned the upcoming Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Kampala and expressed anticipation for President Maduro’s attendance.
His Excellency Yvan Gil Pinto conveyed President Maduro’s greetings and reported that Venezuela had made significant economic progress in recent years. He expressed Venezuela’s interest in collaborating with Uganda in agriculture, tourism, education, energy, and health. He noted the stability in Venezuela’s leadership and its economic advancements, including GDP growth and preparations for upcoming presidential elections.
H.E. Gil Pinto emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation with other countries to navigate the changing geopolitics of the world. The meeting was also attended by Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Honorable Henry Okello Oryem.