Dominica set for president Chavez's visit

     Notwithstanding Mary Ourisman’s (new US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean) comments that Caribbean leaders should be wary about “the company they keep”, an obvious reference to their relationships with Castro and Chavez, Dominica is set to host the Venezuelan President tomorrow. Hugo Chavez will arrive at the Canefield/Massacre airport on Friday although the exact time is still unclear. But Dominicans were informed today that the Canefield/Massacre airport will be closed to all commercial and non commercial flights and public use from 6am to 6pm tomorrow. All flights will be rerouted and operate out of the Melville Hall airport in Marigot. The situation will create a fair amount of inconvenience and hassle for travelers. They’ve been advised to clear their baggage, luggage and courier packages at the airfreight at the Woodbridge Bay in Fond Cole.

     Other clear indications of the highly anticipated but little talked about visit is the beefed up security at the airport in Canefield/Massacre and the increasing numbers of Venezuelans seen about in the city. Three Venezuelan military helicopters have been seating at the airport since Wednesday. Government officials along with their Venezuelan counterparts and other strategic teams and personnel have been working round the clock on security details for the trip. Speaking under conditions of anonymity, one resident of Canefield informed Dominica Today that attempts were made to evacuate residents occupying the hill overlooking the airport. However, the plan had to be ditched due to the inability to find adequate accommodation to move residents.

     Chavez’s visit to Dominica was first disclosed by Rodolfo Sanz, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry’s vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, during a visit to the island last week. While in Dominica, President Chavez is expected to officially open the Petrocaribe oil storage facility in Jimmit and oversee other works of cooperation between Dominica and Venezuela including the Marigot airport, housing projects and sea defense wall in Soufriere.