Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he intends to replicate President Anthony Carmona's newest initiative by inviting students to attend functions during visits by foreign heads of states.
He made the promise yesterday as he addressed a small group of students and teachers who had been specially invited to witness his visit with Carmona at President's House, St Ann's, which was the first stop on his whirlwind visit to T&T.
With tears in his eyes as he hugged visually-impaired student Shamika Henry, Maduro commended the top-performing student for her ability to persevere in the face of adversity.
Henry, a student of the Holy Faith Convent, Couva, was among a group of nine students selected from schools, including Palo Seco Secondary; Naparima Girls' High School and St Stephen's College, Princes Town, to attend the visit.
During the 45-minute visit, Maduro recalled fond memories of previous visits to T&T, the most outstanding being one in 2009 when he accompanied former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on an official visit.
Referring to that as "an extraordinary meeting, "Maduro, who spoke through an interpreter in some cases, told the students a new era had commenced for the people of Latin America and the Caribbean and that they needed to be prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
He urged them to seize the opportunity to create their own destiny but cautioned them on the importance of remaining young in their thinking and approach to life.
Adding that the magical formula for eternal youth was to always have a pure soul and to renew that soul with love every day, Maduro said each person needed to cultivate a love for the motherland, family, community, justice, equality and fellow humans beings.
During the courtesy call, which ended around 1.20 pm, Maduro also chatted with the students and their teachers about politics, the economy and lighter topics, such as his childhood days, his likes and dislikes.
The students included Affia Collins and Enrique Boodoo with teacher Mary Lambert; Anikah Tuitt and Pooran Dhanraj with teacher Michelle Baney; Rochella Providence, Kavita Hosein and Henry with teacher Reah Warner-Mayers; and Varsha Maharaj and Gabrielle Samuel with teacher Sharon Sahadeo.
Reminding those present that the geographic location between T&T and Venezuela cemented its neighbourly connection, Maduro said that was another reason why both countries had to work together in various areas to improve their respective economies.
He said besides the oil and gas sector, there were other areas where collaboration could be explored, including fishing, transport, security, tourism, production in agri business, culture and language.
Tight security
?Maduro, accompanied by his wife, Cilia Flores, along with their entourage, which included more than 50 people, arrived at the President's House at 12.15 pm.
The 90-member contingent, consisting mainly of security and media personnel, arrived at the south terminal, Piarco International Airport, just after 11 am.
Their itinerary included a visit with Carmona, followed by a meeting at the Diplomatic Centre with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine and other officials.
Heightened security measures were introduced ahead of Maduro's arrival, with heavily armed soldiers and police taking up strategic posts in and around the residence.
Three representatives of Maduro's presidential press corp arrived an hour before him at President's House.
The two cameramen and female reporter, through an interpreter, noted the names and designations of the local media present as they explained it would help them present a report when they returned home.
Escorted by several outriders and other security officials, Maduro and his wife arrived in separate SUVs.
They were greeted by Aide-de-Camp Major Dwayne Edwards, who saluted Maduro and led them inside to the official office.
Although cameramen and photographers were allowed to witness the meeting, local reporters were not allowed in, while Maduro's entire media delegation was accommodated in the cramped quarters.
This public meeting lasted close to 45-minutes, followed by a more private exchange with Carmona, lasting approximately 15 minutes.
Maduro's delegation was then escorted out of the entrance closer to Queen's Hall and along to the Diplomatic Centre, where outside on the pavement Venezuelan nationals resident in T&T staged a noisy protest to highlight their displeasure of Maduro's handling of the Venezuelan economy.
They called for him to be removed, saying their country was suffering for even the basic necessities, including food and medical care, under his rule.
They also questioned why Persad-Bissessar would host Maduro at a point in time when his country was on the verge of collapse and had nothing to offer T&T.