By Derrick Scott
NEW YORK – Jamaica joined the other thirty three active members of the Organization of American States (OAS) in paying glowing tribute to the memory of the late Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez, Venezuela’s Permanent Representative to the hemispheric organization.
Ambassador Alvarez died on Friday, November 25, 2016 while on a visit to Caracas, Venezuela.
Ambassador Audrey Marks, Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the OAS and outgoing Chair of the OAS Permanent Council, hailed her Venezuelan colleague as the consummate diplomat, a true statesman and a hard-working official of the Government of Venezuela.
In her tribute delivered at a special sitting of the Permanent Council, at OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, December 1st, Ambassador Marks said that during his tenure as Permanent Representative, Ambassador Alvarez skillfully sought to achieve compromise in the best interest of his country.
She praised his sincere love for the Caribbean and his keen interest in strengthening the already strong ties between Jamaica and Venezuela.
The Jamaican envoy said Ambassador Alvarez would always be remembered for the active role he played in the region, particularly with respect to the Petrocaribe arrangement, and for his role as an active member of the Permanent Council.
(Photo by Derrick Scott)
“On behalf of the Government and People of Jamaica, my delegation joins with our other colleagues in conveying deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; the members of staff of the Permanent Mission of Venezuela; as well as the family and friends of Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez,” Ambassador Marks said.
