The visit, made at the invitation of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), formed part of activities celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam-Venezuela diplomatic ties (1989-2024). It also aimed to promote the relations between Quang Nam and Venezuelan localities.
During their stay, Dung and the delegation met with PSUV First Vice President Diosdado Cabello, who is also Vice President of Venezuela, and other PSUV leaders, and officials of Venezuela.
Dung recalled the Nguyen Van Troi Campaign, launched by Venezuela’s Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN) Command on October 9, 1964, during which Venezuelan guerillas abducted US Lieutenant Colonel Michael Smolen in Caracas to ask for the release of young Vietnamese patriot Nguyen Van Troi, who had been sentenced to death by the US and the US-backed Saigon regime for his assassination attempt on US Secretary of Defence Robert McNamara.
He called the campaign a symbol of solidarity and support of leftist and progressive forces in Venezuela in particular and of progressive forces in Latin America and the world in general for the Vietnamese people’s cause of national liberation and reunification.
Dung emphasised the good relations between the two countries in various spheres, especially politics-diplomacy through delegation exchanges at all levels and between localities, as well as the sharing of experience in Party building.
Cabello said Dung’s visit is expected to contribute to consolidating and deepening the relations between the two Parties, as well as the Vietnam-Venezuela comprehensive partnership.
He stressed that Vietnam has been an example for Venezuela and PSUV to follow, and that Venezuela always attaches importance the good traditional relations and comprehensive partnership with the Southeast Asian nation.
The official suggested enhancing delegation exchanges between PSUV and the Communist Party of Vietnam, as well as localities of the two countries.
Working with the Vietnamese delegation, Mayor of Caracas Carmen Meléndez and chairman of the Caracas administration Nahúm Fernández shared the view that ample room remains for the two countries’ localities to boost cooperation, and suggested them continue exchanges and experience sharing in the areas of common interest like agriculture, urban management, local administration building, and personnel training.
The delegation also laid a wreath in tribute to Simón Bolivar at a memorial site dedicated to the Venezuelan national hero, and President Ho Chi Minh at his monument, and visited a relic site dedicated to revolutionary leader Hugo Chávez.
While in Caracas, they attended the inauguration of the statue of heroic martyr Nguyen Van Troi and presented equipment for a computer class worth 21,000 USD to a local school.
