Above: Haiti President Michel Martelly with Venezuela President Hugo Chavez earlier this year (Photo: OP Haiti)
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Haiti President Michel Martelly is sending his “warmest congratulations” to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez following his victory over Henrique Capriles Radonski in the country’s elections on Sunday.
Martelly said his government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen what he characterized as “cordial relations” between the two states.
He said he hoped that Haiti-Venezuela cooperation would continue to strengthen.
Haiti, which is a beneficiary of Venezuela’s PetroCaribe programme, has also received support from the country in areas like agricultural production and investment.
At the beginning of 2012, Haiti and Venezuela signed a cooperation agreement that increased aid from the PetroCaribe fund.
It was during a visit by Martelly to the Chavez’ ALBA summit. Haiti is currently an observer to ALBA.