PM Skerrit says Dominica has no choice but to recognize Venezuela election

Nicolas Maduro holds up the National Electoral Council certificate declaring him the winner of the presidential election. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said Dominica has no choice but to recognize Nicolas Maduro as the President of Venezuela because he was voted in by the majority of those who voted in that South American country.

Speaking earlier this week on Kairi’s Next Level Radio Program he said that although Dominica doesn’t interfere with the internal affairs of any other country, but based on what is known, the election was held within the laws of Venezuela.

“We don’t interfere with the affairs of any country including Venezuela,” he stated. “Based on what we know the elections were held within the confines of the constitution and electoral laws of Venezuela and observers there have declared the elections to be free and fair and we respect that.”

He said a government is determined by its people and the majority of Venezuelans who voted, voted for Maduro.

“A government is determined by its people and if the people, the majority of the people who voted, voted for President Maduro then we in Dominica have no other choice but recognize and to congratulate President Maduro and the people of Venezuela,” the Prime Minister noted.

But not everyone is sharing the Prime Minister’s outlook of the polls which saw Maduro winning a second six-year term.

Maduro is facing an international backlash after the results of the poll were announced.

The Organization of American States has already said it will not recognize Maduro as the President of Venezuela.

The 14-nation Lima group of Latin American countries plus Canada issued a statement on Monday saying it did not recognize the legitimacy of the election. The statement said the countries would call their ambassadors back from Caracas for consultations and hold a meeting to coordinate a regional response to outflows of Venezuelans “who have been obligated to abandon their country”.

US President Donald Trump has called for new elections to “end the repression” of Venezuelans.

Venezuela has expelled two diplomats in the country as the row over the election continues.

On the international stage, only Turkey, Cuba, China and Russia have shown support for Maduro.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

62 Comments

  1. Sayitsnotso
    May 28, 2018

    U guys note that we always side and align ourselves with countries that the international community deemed unstable and unfair. When we look like we support unfairness we are then lumped together with such countries. Sooner or later we are given the same sanctions that these countries faces; we are looked upon as rogue countries. That then makes us dependent on the government its sets the pathway for creating a communist or socialist society. Skerrit is indeed a smart man.

  2. Norman Thomas
    May 28, 2018

    The PM is correct. The people of Venezuela have spoken and have elected their leader. The opposing countries should understand that the time has come for a people to do what they believe is good for the masses. All those who oppose the wishes of the people of Venezuela are political hypocrites. Imaging St. Lucia and Guyana are on the opposing band wagon.
    Guess they are aligning themselves with Mr. Trump and company. Time will tell. In the mean time : Long live Venezuela and its Determined Leader.

    • bubbgump
      January 12, 2019

      HAHAAH Yes the people who were held by the sword of hunger, crime and the government boot all voted for Maduro. Similar elections were held in the Soviet Union and Cuba. Oh, and Turkey and China are also models for Dominica to look at as well.

  3. USisourfriend
    May 28, 2018

    What about Israel? Why are they not allowed to make their own decisions on where their Capitol is? We did not side with the US supporting Israel on getting to choose their own Capitol. Isn’t that butting in on the internal politics of another country? Dominica ganged up with the UN against the US to recognize Israel’s decision. Venezuela is a communist country where they give money to us to look good and buy friends while their own citizens are starving.

  4. May 26, 2018

    With no industries, no manufacturing and agriculture a thing of the past, the government has reduced every young person to an NEP job with a weed wacker and a garbage bag in hand. Well, if this is the future of the youth of this country, the Prime Minister is right, he has no choice but to support Venezuela because he has taken a page from Maduro’s governing playbook.

  5. piece of peace
    May 26, 2018

    My question is….What is the opposition’s stance on this? Do they agree with Skerrit or do they not recognize Maduro’s election “win”?

  6. May 25, 2018

    The Punjab PhD has once again put his foot in his mouth typical of a guy who does not know whether he is coming or going “the majority of Nations and organizations say they don’t recognize the legitimacy of the elections. “MAJORITY” you love this word when it suits you eh! but then again “what do we expect from an empty bag of COALS but dust”.

  7. Sony
    May 25, 2018

    Man eat dogs you so full of **** you will have to muzzle people when they speak no one cares what you think , what does Lenox have to do with that is like you obsess with the man ..o **** man

  8. Not A Herd Follower
    May 25, 2018

    Hogwash, Roosevelt Skerrit! The leading Opposition Leaders were banned from participating in the elections.

  9. Shaka Zulu
    May 25, 2018

    He is trying to use facts screw it up to justify jis stance. Skerrit is not speaking on behalf of Dominica but himself. This guy is goingg cause us to go down a dark path soon.

    • Gary
      May 27, 2018

      Do you know how silly you are saying The PM is not speaking on behalf of Dominica but himself. I pity you for what your political partisan beliefs have done to your mind making you write such nonsense, keep wallowing in your ignorance and arrogance.

      • Toto
        May 28, 2018

        Gary, I do not recognize Skerrit. either. I am a Dominican and it is my right to hold that opinion. He has put too much embarasment on us .

  10. Neverson St jean
    May 25, 2018

    What does he mean by dominica has no choice. Aren’t we independent, we have choice in some corrupt stuff

  11. Neverson St jean
    May 25, 2018

    Why does dominica have no choice aren’t we independent. We have choices in all other corrupt activities

    • Da Girl
      May 25, 2018

      Use the whole statement, not what you feel like using. He gave his reasons for such a statement. The existing constitution of Venezuela stands until changed and on that basis the election was considered within the laws of the land.

      • Neverson St jean
        May 27, 2018

        I don’t care what reason he gives ,no one is holding a gun to his head .as an independent country he has a choice

      • Anonymous
        May 28, 2018

        Hitler had many reasons for doing veil things. To have a reason for something does not necessarily make it right.

  12. jin
    May 25, 2018

    lol allu hate tht skerrit there we, way papa.

    • viewsexpressed
      May 27, 2018

      Why is it that this blind loyalist Skerrites don’t understand anymore the common English phrase? Skerrit used the phrase “We have no choice…” really what does this mean, please clarify Skerrit and lets be overboard rather than just kicking any word because of your ow thinking and appears have not yet comprehend the political and social disaster Venezuela faces now. Venezuela is in a mess ad Madura knows no way how to fi and change stop the poverty in Venezuela. It is common friend it appears as we suffer the same poverty and bobol phenomena in Domininca by a weak, ineptly Skerrit with both illiterate in development strategies but buying loyalty from he rich, poor and indifferent. Venezuela and Domininca will forever be in upheaval as long as those two weak and bind politician, who came in from the back door loyalty to run these two ailing economies. So, it`s a win for Maura and his incompetent government, so is the same for inept Skerrit and his blind loyalist.

  13. A joke dat man?!!!
    May 25, 2018

    Papamet. Congratulate the president and his people? The same people that fleeing the land in order to eat bread? All you not seeing dem children and mothers that running from Venezuela, sweating in the hot sun, sit dong on side of road waiting for ride to run go? The same president world news call a dictator? May the good Lord have mercy on DA.

  14. Jonathan Y St Jean
    May 25, 2018

    Skerritt, we hear you loud and clear. You choose to follow the Venezuelan model so you have no choice. As a country which has enjoyed the fruits of democracy as passed down from Britain, most Dominicans are appalled by the model of democracy you have imposed on our country. Take note that this too shall end.

    • Gary
      May 27, 2018

      What gratification do you get from writing such nonsense, yes, it may appease your political partisan beliefts, but it not does reveal the truth regarding your statement, that most Dominicans are appalled by the model of democracy The PM has imposed on our country. You tell me, what are the things that most Dominicans are appalled by that The PM has imposed on the model of democracy in Dominica. It is one thing to make such statement, you should also be
      able to substantiate your statement with facts, else you are just blowing thin air.

  15. Yes I Believe
    May 25, 2018

    I believe Skerrit was pressured by his new friends China, Russia and N. Korea to make a statement in support of their Venezuelan friend, so Skerrit opened his big mouth to talk his foolishness, while his international friends are building their army in Dominica and Skerrit refers to them as ” investors that flooding Dominica after Maria.”

  16. May 25, 2018

    Can you imagine that. The US had an election and it was very obvious that the election was Rig. Even the ones that voted for trump. No one said nothing. But because it’s Spanish speaking country that trump already hate. Every one is blasting them. What a shame.

    • May 26, 2018

      KP, your a complete moron and no one in the US saw the election as rigged. What was rigged was the FBI, DOJ, and a hole pack of Obama stooges making up stories about Russians influencing the election. When 100MM people vote, I don’t think the Russians can tell us all how to vote. I realize that your intellect is a little challenged and the starving people of Maduro and Chavez have no impact on your socialist agenda (similar to Stalin, Mao, PolPot, etc..). Before you open your gobsmacker, you may want to fire up the grey matter and look at what is going on in the world before you speak. Maybe it would help if you asked yourself why all of the “immigrants” are rushing to get into Venezuala, China, Russia, and Cuba. Oh wait, they arent. LOL

    • Norman Thomas
      May 28, 2018

      Amen to that. These fools are political idiots. Trump and the other clowns must be laughing.

  17. Pas toutes D/cien aveg
    May 25, 2018

    Skero, It’s like working for a dealer you cannot appear to oppose him /her or else you are history. You cannot benefit from a dealer’s $ and appear against him/her.
    Like they say in JA U doh must?

  18. Fin
    May 24, 2018

    Yes CIA agent it should be included to show that PM Statement contradicts majority of the international view on the election in Venezuela you call this objective journalism

  19. Crap O'Hall
    May 24, 2018

    Dictators stand together.

  20. Dominica Passports
    May 24, 2018

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha LOL Chavez that train u eno skerro, take u like a bird under his wing and teach you his evil ways to keep people poor stupid and dependent on you support your dictators dem :lol: If it have a hell Chavez in red like fire foreal

  21. Elise
    May 24, 2018

    That’s a very good thing. A brave choice.
    Thank you PM.

    • DEE
      May 25, 2018

      ”Dominica has no choice but to recognize Maduro”
      Listen man, sometimes you getting under my skin you know,
      if you want to say ”Dominica Government” have no choice, say so
      If you want to say ”I as Prime Minister of Dominica” , have no choice , then clearly say so ,But don’t box all of us as one, when you say ”Dominica” OK ; we have a damn a choice.
      One that you cannot , will not be allowed to deprive us of , by saying ”Dominica” .
      So when it suits you , you say ”Dominica” as if you ( one man ) are ”DOMINICA”
      and on the other hand you say ”Don’t ask me where i get my damn money from”
      why didn’t you say ” dont ask me where i get Dominica money from”
      YOU DO REALLY BELIEVE, AND SPEAK ,LIKE DOMINICA BELONG TO YOU NOW ,
      and that is becoming of grave concern .

      • Gary
        May 27, 2018

        Wow, I will tell you this, your logic and understanding are flawed. Just because you don’t understand something it doesn’t mean it isn’t so. Your problem is not what The PM says that get’s you upset, it’s, why do you get upset and write such nonsense.

        The PM is the head of The Government of Dominica, elected by the people of Dominica he is given the mandate to speak on behalf of the people of Dominica and The country Dominica. You may not agree with what he says on behalf of Dominica, that’s fine, and it is silly on your part to suggest that he should say quote “I as Prime Minister of Dominica” The PM was not elected to express his personal beliefs and opinions on behalf of the Country. When the PM says quote ”Dominica has no choice but to recognize Maduro” should not be taken out of context by you suggesting that he thinks Dominica belongs to him and he has no right to say such thing, constitutionally The PM was elected and given a mandate and has a right to make such…

    • Enough is enough
      May 25, 2018

      Elise, did you forget your medication ?

  22. UDOHREADYET
    May 24, 2018

    What would Dominica gain from not respecting Venezuela’s elections. Even China doesn’t interfere with other countries elections. Do you think Donald Trump cares about Venezuelans? Venezuela is the richest oil rich nation in the region, that what they want, they don’t care about Venezuelans, I’ve seen many Venezuelans get arrested in the US, Miami by police looking for their papers. Things are never what they seem.

  23. Anonymous
    May 24, 2018

    The hungry people of Venezuela are grateful forRoosevelt Skerrit’s support of Maduro.

  24. Embarrassed Dominican
    May 24, 2018

    Skerrit should have gone on state radio to make that nonsensical statement. Why he ran on Kaire to talk his foolishness like when Tony drunk? But DNO when Skerrit talking his crap you, as a well respected midia house should be very careful about reporting his nonsense because many news media outlets both regionally and internationally read your articles so they could report to an enlightened world and it is really damn embarrassing to hear Skerrit ****** news abroad. For example, it was so badly offended this morning when WAVS 1170 AM, based in Florida, read your article this morning during their 7:20 news, about Skerrit container international airport. What made that thing even more embarrassing was when news reporter now city commissioner introduced that news with a very cleversense of laughter before reading it. Boy that **** was embarrassing man

  25. Man bites dogs
    May 24, 2018

    Instead of you Rat scumbags and cockroaches concentrating on prime minister Dr Skerrit, attacking him anyway you twisted lots can, Why you don’t mention that uneducated idiotic undertaker that is leading you Blue bellys to your graves,That guy is a big time con man he makes the Mafia organizations looking like school boys, A friend of mine posted me on WhatsApp last night showing workers opposition so-called leader drinking what look Vodka and tonic looking very drunk because face was getting Uglier, On stage in front of white people talking crap pathetic little man and that is what trying to be prime minister off Dominica ? sorry guy not in a billion years.

    • viewsexpressed
      May 27, 2018

      Hey Man who just Bites Dogs …woof…woff” within your circle, are you telling us that Skerrit is “…….Rat scumbags and cockroaches concentrating on prime minister Dr Skerrit, attacking him anyway you twisted lots can,…”

      The Leader of the UWP is Hon Lennox Linton, the same Dominican patriot who exposed your immature Skerrit Bin Bobol, Fertilizer Bobol and other misuse of states funds, eg the Red Clinic. Therefore Hon Linton’s name will remain credible in the books and history of Domininca and your inept Skerrit poor and failed behavior in Office will be that, this man should have never been a Prime Minister, let alone a minister. He, Skerrit has failed us Dominicans and his achievement, the major one, was to create and expand poverty to its highest levels in Dominica. Skerrit must Go. Amen

  26. required
    May 24, 2018

    SKERRIT when it is WRONG you have to MAN up and say it is WRONG..
    Matthew 16:26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

  27. CIA Agent
    May 24, 2018

    @ Admin:

    Shouldn’t Dominica be included in the last statement “On the international stage, only Turkey, Cuba, China and Russia have shown support for Maduro” ?

  28. Toto
    May 24, 2018

    Nonsens, you always have a choice. You may not like the outcome but you have choice. Anyway, your die has been cast now Roosevelt, you have shown your hand, no way back.

  29. May 24, 2018

    Nothing new, NEXT :-D :-D :-D

  30. May 24, 2018

    Birds of a feather flock together. People are starving in Venezuela, the president isn’t capable of supplying food for hospitalized patients and prisons. There are no medicines at the hospitals. The majority of the poor a searching for food in the bins. Some are risking their lives traveling abroad in search of food. The only thing the population is demanding from the president is to stand down and this is exactly the same thing that a large percentage of Dominicans are demanding Skerrit. Dominica is almost on the verge of collapse.

  31. Keli
    May 24, 2018

    Speak for yourself Skerrit and your communist ideologies ,magwasa its no surprise you would support that evil ;birds of a feather.

  32. MR DOMINICA
    May 24, 2018

    what is new? this might be the firs time in a long time this man has spoken the truth he does not have a choice but to recognize Maduro he really does not have a choice. he is like a hostage in a plane 30,000 feet in theair

  33. zandoli
    May 24, 2018

    Sometimes, it is better to keep quiet. Obviously you have no choice because you need to go crawling on your knees to beg Venezuela because you have done nothing to grow the economy. They only way you know how to get anything done is to beg other countries.

    • One of a kind
      May 24, 2018

      Man you’re *******
      What’s wrong with begging other countries for help??
      Do we not need help??? If you’re one of those people that enjoy suffering don’t like to beg or ask for help, how bout keeping
      Your negative *** comments away.
      Seriously how do you expect Doninica to move forward if our friend from other countries won’t help.

      I swear some Dominicans just irritate the hell out of me…I mean come on.

    • Dominica Passports
      May 24, 2018

      If skerro beg venezuela again he’ll get bush, the people over there eating farmers cow raw hungry they hungry so, I’d post de video but DNO doesn’t allow dem kind of videos on they site

  34. Floridano Diaspora
    May 24, 2018

    Boy oh boy Satan really a hypocrite. According to Dr evil
    “Dominica has no choice but to recognize Nicolas Maduro as the President of Venezuela because he was voted in by the majority of the people”. If that is the case sir then you are not the prime minister of the commonCommonwealth of Dominica because you were not voted in by the majority of the people. Imported voters, bribery, and theft made you cling on to your undeserved position..

    • May 24, 2018

      Sound like a brainwashed idiot.

      • Enough is enough
        May 25, 2018

        Look at yourself Bro!!! Do you really know what happen in Venezuela? You want the same for Da??

  35. Shaka Zulu
    May 24, 2018

    What else di he you expect him to say. Skerrit will skew facts. 32.3 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots in Venezuela that meeans over 60% of the people who could vote did not vote. Skerrit is right that of rhose who voted maduro had most. However, adding the rest of the country over 60 percent of the population hates this guy. Skerrit is in good company at the end here. If Dominicans dont vote this guy out of power soon i foresee blood on the streets of roseau in the near future. There are two ways to get a dictator out. By vote or by revolution and there is no price to small to pay for freedom, independence and a better life for your children. A generation in domini9 has already been contaminated.

    • Gary
      May 27, 2018

      Why such gibberish. Why don’t you start the revolution, put your money where your mouth is. After reading all the nonsense you have written on DNO why should your predictions regarding the future of Dominica be taken seriously.

  36. Neville
    May 24, 2018

    I guess the ‘write off’ of US$ 100 Mio has something to do with this. If Skerrit had not supported this fraudulent election outcome Maduro would have told Dominicans the truth about that money. Dominicans wake up and smell the coffee. Hold your corrupt PM accountable.

  37. marie-claire R Skerrit
    May 24, 2018

    WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSS. you now telling people what they need to do. Lord help this country

  38. Looking
    May 24, 2018

    Dominica is in good company.

    • UKDominican
      May 25, 2018

      Very interesting to note that in the countries that support Maduro’s election, calling it democratic, Cuba, China and Russia our little Dominica has full time Ambassadors. How many Dominicans live in these countries? On the other hand we do not have this kind of diplomatic presence in Canada, where a significant number of our people live. As it is, Canada has withdrawn its from Venezuela in protest and does not recognise the election results.
      Is this a new definition of democracy we are witnessing, one that does not brook any opposition and is this also the view Mr. Roosevelt Skerrit holds? The other country giving Maduro its blessing, Turkey, is also well on its way to becoming a one-party state, with media opposing the government either curtailed or shut down and many opposing citizens jailed. I do fear for the survival of democracy in my country.

      • Looking
        May 25, 2018

        It’s called sarcasm. :lol: :lol: :lol:

      • Neville
        May 27, 2018

        Well observed. As far as the survival of Democracy in DA is concerned, I think that train has left already. Numerous patriotic Dominicans have been preaching for years now that we have to unseat Skerrit, but… a few Dollars from the Dictator here and there is more important to the majority of Dominicans than their ultimate freedom. Maybe it’s that slave mentality?

      • Gary
        May 27, 2018

        The fear you have regarding the survival of democracy in Dominica is not based on knowledge and understanding regarding world affairs. Look what is happening in your own backyard. Why are The Governments of The UK not condemning Spain for not listening to the people of Catalina oppressing their move to be an independent Country. Why the House of Lords still functions in The British Parliament. Look at The European Union how can Bureaucrats supersede Governments elected by people. Why is it the British Government tried to stall the Brexit vote, so long for your ignorance.

      • Anonymous
        May 28, 2018

        Skerrit’s claim that he has no choice sounds exactly like the one made by Pontius Pilate more than 2000 years ago.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available