Venezuelan embassy, UWI honour Simón Bolívar

The Venezuelan embassy celebrated the 240th anniversary of the birth of the liberator Simón Bolívar with the University of the West Indies (UWI) on Monday.

Venezuelan ambassador Alvaro Sánchez Cordero, speaking during the ceremony at the Alma Jordan Library of the UWI's St Augustine campus, said he was proud to commemorate such an important day for Venezuelans in a TT university.

“Every July 24, we remember the greatest man in Latin America. These anniversaries are important for history and especially in academic matters because our children learn about the main leader in the freedom of our continent and what Bolívar supported for the freedom of our neighbouring countries,” said Sánchez Cordero.

Bolívar was a Venezuelan military leader and politician. As the fundamental leader of the independence of Venezuela and Colombia, he contributed to the independence of Ecuador, helped to consolidate Peru's independence, was the inspiration in the last stage of Panama's independence and was involved in founding the Republic of Bolivia. He is an essential figure of the Spanish-American emancipation against the Spanish Empire and for his acts, he was awarded the title of El Libertador.

The ceremony also served to honour the 200th anniversary of the battle of Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela and the Day of the Venezuelan Navy.

Venezuelan Vice Admiral José Reinaldo León Fajardo in his speech explained the battle of Lake Maracaibo was a naval combat that occurred on July 24, 1823, between the squadron of the Republic of Colombia led by Admiral José Prudencio Padilla and the squadron of the navy of the Kingdom of Spain led by captain Ángel Laborde y Navarro.

“With the victory, the independence of Gran Colombia, which was made up of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, is ensured. In honour of that victory, every July 24 in Venezuela, Navy Day is also celebrated,” he said.

Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw, dean of the UWI Faculty of Humanities and Education, said these kinds of events are important for the university as part of recognising the struggles of Latin American and neighbouring countries of TT.

"I thank the embassy for taking the UWI into account to commemorate the birth of Simón Bolívar and remember those memorable battles for the freedom of Venezuela."

Lancelot Cowie, honourary Professor of the UWI Latin American Studies Programme, said his university is proud and happy to commemorate these legendary freedom fighters.

In honour of Venezuela, he gave a speech in Spanish.

“Without a doubt, Simon Bolívar was one of the most important men in Latin American literature with hundreds of letters written to his troops. Every time we commemorate the birth of Bolívar it is an opportunity for our youth to recognise his life, his struggle and invites us to continue fighting for the freedom of our peoples in a united way."

Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from various countries were also present.

The ceremony closed with the visit of the guests to the memorial room of the Eric Williams collection, on the second floor of the library.

“It is wonderful to be able to commemorate the birth of Simón Bolívar and visit this place full of history for Trinidadians,” said Sánchez Cordero before closing with the sharing of traditional Venezuelan foods.