By Admin. Updated 7:07 p.m., Sunday, January 4, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs, Mr Fitzgerald Bramble, has confirmed that all Vincentian diplomatic staff in Venezuela are safe following United States military strikes on the South American country.
In a video address released by the Agency for Public Information (API) on Sunday, January 4, Mr Bramble stated:
“I have been in regular contact with our Ambassador to Venezuela, Ambassador Garrett Bynoe. He has informed me that all diplomatic staff are safe and that the current situation in Caracas is calm”.
“He also informed that there have been no contact made by any Vincentian national who may be in Venezuela at this time”.
On January 3, US military forces invaded Venezuela, bombed critical military and communications infrastructure, captured President Nicolás Maduro and took him to the US. Mr. Trump says Mr. Maduro will answer to charges of narcotrafficking and gang activities in the US.
The action has drawn widespread criticism from many world leaders and democratic figures in the US. It has also faced opposition from some Venezuelans, though it sparked celebrations among Venezuelans worldwide who fled the country, some owing to hardships stemming from US economic sanctions. In the Caribbean, CARICOM has stated that it is monitoring the situation.
In his address, Mr Bramble noted that St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) maintains friendly relations with both Venezuela and the US, describing the situation as “grave concern to our country and our region,” since all parties are “members of the families of nations of the United Nations and of the Organisation of American States.”
“As a small island developing state, St. Vincent and the Grenadines recognises that there are possible far-reaching implications for our country,” Mr Bramble said, adding: “Resultantly, we will continue to follow closely the situation in Venezuela as it unfolds, and we will continue to assist and respond when necessary to possible economic and other impacts.”
“Prime Minister Friday and our government remains committed to the development of our people and our region.
“As a member of CARICOM, we align ourselves with the statements made by the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government and the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government made on January 2nd and 3rd, 2026, respectively,” the minister added.
Mr Bramble continued: “Quoting from part of those statements, CARICOM is firmly committed to the fundamental principles of international law and multilateralism enshrined in the UN Charter. My government will continue to monitor the situation in Venezuela and will keep the people of our blessed land informed of further developments.”
Delcy Rodríguez, who served as Maduro’s vice president, is currently the interim president of Venezuela. President Trump has warned of a possible second, larger wave of military action in the oil-rich South American nation if necessary.
He also announced that large American oil companies will invest billions to revive Venezuela’s oil industry, which has long been affected by US economic sanctions.
