The Portuguese ambassador in Venezuela wants to see a direct TAP flight between Caracas and Funchal, an operation he justifies because the majority of the Portuguese-Venezuelan community is Madeiran.
João Pedro Finsdo Lago spoke on Sunday at the Portuguese Center in Caracas, at the celebrations of the Day of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, during which he stressed the importance of air operations between both countries for bilateral relations.
João Pedro Finsdo Lago spoke on Sunday at the Portuguese Center in Caracas, at the celebrations of the Day of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, during which he stressed the importance of air operations between both countries for bilateral relations.
“When I arrived here a little over a year ago, at the end of May last year, there were no connections between Venezuela and Portugal. Shortly after, TAP resumed a weekly connection. It quickly increased the offer to two connections a week,” he said.
At the moment, the Portuguese airline “operates three flights a week between Caracas and Lisbon,” he indicated. “Continuing with a work that came from behind with our authorities and with the management of TAP I actively encouraged,” the diplomat added.
“I allow myself, however, to continue to remember and I will never tire of insisting on this issue that is the origin of most of the Portuguese in Venezuela and Madeira. Therefore, it is important that we can study the connection between Caracas and Funchal. It is a typical longing of the Portuguese who are here”, he stressed.
On the other hand, he announced that soon a new consul-general will arrive in Venezuela for the area of the consular district of Valencia, which “covers the West of the country, where many Portuguese live, including a large number of Madeirans, as well as Lusodescendants, particularly in the states of Aragua, Carabobo and Lara.
“I am sure that this appointment will contribute to strengthening the proximity between our community and Portugal,” he stressed.
The diplomat also welcomed the placement “soon of a social attaché at the Embassy” of Portugal in Caracas: “another concrete step towards increasing the attention, follow-up and support needed by those who live in difficulties and belong to our community.
“This appointment is consistent with the priority that the State gives to social support for the needy Portuguese in Venezuela, which is materialized, among other measures, in the award of grants to institutions that provide social service to our fellow citizens, as well as in the granting of support for the needy elderly and needy emigrants, those who face occasional difficulties,” he said.
“The work of a social attaché will allow us to identify in more detail the needs of our community, supporting those in need and helping those who help,” he said.
The diplomat began his speech explaining that “celebrating Madeira and its people is celebrating the diversity and richness of Portugal”, the “autonomy of the Region that brought so much progress to Madeirans”.
On the other hand, he praised “the audacity, spirit of initiative, courage and effort of honest work” of the Portuguese: “today’s Venezuela would not be the same without your contribution.
“Even in the most difficult times, in the recent past, you have not turned your backs on this country and this people who have received you with open arms. And that, ladies and gentlemen, was courageous, and you are recognized,” he said.
