Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana Dario Morandy Figuera yesterday related the importance his government  attached to South American neighbours Guyana and Brazil towards the establishment of the South American Security Council through which he says “the south would be more united and equal.”

Venezuelan Ambassador Dario Morandy Figuera (centre) pins the Medal Star of Carabobo on GDF Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best at the Venezuelan Institute for Co-operation and Culture yesterday. Looking on is Sergeant, Bolivarian National Army, Rafael Cabrera. (Jules Gibson photo)

His statements came at a simple service held at the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Co-operation in celebration of the birth anniversary of Venezuelan liberator Simon Bolivar when Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best was invested with the Medal Star of Corobobo for his efforts at maintaining military cordiality between the two countries.

The same medal was conferred upon Military Attache of the Republic of Brazil in Guyana, Colonel Eudes Carvalho Dos Santos.

In brief comments via his translator, Figuera told the small gathering which also included members of the diplomatic corps from Cuba and Brazil  that it was important that the three nations maintained interaction among each other.

To this end he pointed to the establishment of the South American Security Council  and Guyana and Brazil’s efforts in making  known their support, noting that it was the only way for the countries of the south to truly build a “society”.

Commemorating the birth of Bolivar he said was nothing simple for Venezuelans. He recounted  Bolivar’s efforts and his focus towards ending the fight for the freedom of South America and proclaimed that “we will never again be a colony.”

“That’s why we call Venezuela the Bolivarian Republic,” he stated.

Floral offerings were made at the foot of the bronze statue of Simon Bolivar  which stands in the centre’s compound.