Above: Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves arrived in Cuba Thursday for a brief visit. Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony are also on hand.

The two were in Cuba for the country’s ceremonies to mark the 60th anniversary of the events that led to the beginning of the Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro on July 26, 1953.

During the beginning of his visit, Maduro met with Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Cuba’s Foreign Minister.

Maduro was joined by officials from Venezuela’s Communist Party and its United Socialist Party, along with Foreign Minister Elias Jaua.

Maduro said Cuba had “always been at the centre of our affections” in Venezuela.

Gonsalves said the “bonds of friendship and brotherhood with Cuba” were “stronger than ever.”

Cuba has remained Venezuela’s closest ally in the region, even in the wake of the death of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez earlier this year.

It’s the second visit by Maduro to Cuba since taking office. He also visited Cuba at the end of April.

St Vincent is a member of the Venezuela-led ALBA Alliance launched by Chavez.