Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed a joint declaration to expand bilateral cooperation in Caracas [1, 2].
The agreement aims to reduce Barbados' reliance on external imports by securing more stable partnerships for essential resources. By diversifying its diplomatic and economic ties, Barbados seeks to insulate its economy from global supply chain volatility.
The leaders met at the Miraflores Palace in Venezuela to formalize the partnership [1, 2]. The joint declaration outlines a broad range of cooperation, including energy, food security, agriculture, and fisheries [1, 2]. The two nations also agreed to collaborate on tourism, education, and transport [1, 2].
To ensure the agreement results in tangible outcomes, the leaders announced the creation of a mixed commission [1, 2]. This commission will be responsible for developing and overseeing concrete projects across the sectors mentioned in the declaration [1, 2].
The move comes as Barbados seeks to strengthen its energy and food security [1, 2]. By partnering with Venezuela, Barbados aims to leverage regional resources to stabilize its internal markets and improve infrastructure through shared technical expertise [1, 2].
The meeting underscores a strategic shift toward South-South cooperation within the Caribbean and Latin American regions. The collaboration focuses on mutual economic benefits, specifically regarding the transport of goods and the exchange of educational resources [1, 2].
“Barbados and Venezuela signed a joint declaration to expand cooperation in energy, food security, and agriculture.”
This agreement signals a strategic effort by Barbados to diversify its strategic partnerships to mitigate vulnerabilities in food and energy procurement. By establishing a formal mixed commission with Venezuela, Barbados is moving from general diplomatic goodwill to a structured framework for regional interdependence, potentially shifting its economic alignment within the Caribbean basin.
