by Linda Straker
- Maduro began serving his third term as Venezuela’s President on Friday, 10 January
- Finance Minister fluent in Spanish, represented Grenada as PM Mitchell is on official trip in China
- No return date provided for ministers Cornwall and Thomas
Two of Grenada’s cabinet ministers were among the guests for the swearing-in ceremony of Nicholas Maduro who officially began serving his third term as Venezuela’s President on Friday, 10 January 2025. A presidential term in Venezuela is 6 years.
Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall, and Tourism and Culture Minister Adrian Thomas joined delegates in Venezuela to witness the inauguration which was held at the country’s parliament also called the legislative palace. International media reports say the palace was heavily guarded by police, military and intelligence officers.
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell in an interview with the Government Information Service (GIS) before departing for China on an official visit said that if it wasn’t for the trip to China, he would be going to Venezuela for the occasion. “I have not made any official visit to Venezuela since I became Prime Minister. Venezuela has been a strong supporter of Grenada over the years, particularly in times of need. So, because the foreign minister is attending the trip to China, we have asked the minister for finance who is quite fluent in Spanish to attend,” the Prime Minister told the GIS.
The 2 ministers departed on Thursday, 9 January and there was no return date provided. Neither the GIS nor the Office of the Press Secretary issued a news release or statement informing the public as to who would be acting in the ministerial portfolios in the absence of the 2 ministers.
The 62-year-old Maduro took the oath of office on Friday, vowing his third 6-year term in office would be a “period of peace.” In a speech during his inauguration, Maduro said: “I swear that this new presidential term will be one of peace, prosperity, equality and new democracy. I swear it by history, I swear it on my life. I will keep my word.”
Maduro was declared the winner of July’s presidential election by the official electoral commission. The opposition and many countries, including the USA, had rejected the result and recognised opposition candidate Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect.
Why these people can’t stay home?