Leaving a power keg behind him in Caracas, Venezuela’s beleaguered President Nicolas Madura met yesterday with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness for private talks focused on trade, energy and culture.

During a brief press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, after hours of discussions and lunching, both leaders agreed that their discussions were “fruitful” and led to agreement on three issues: improving trade, expediting the upgrading of the Petrojam oil refinery, and strengthening cultural ties.

According to Holness, there was agreement on:

• improving trade through the arrangements under the PetroCaribe agreement, an initiative to be led by the Minister of Finance and Public Service Audley Shaw;

• Expediting a major upgrading of the 53-year-old Petrojam refinery, which is co-owned by Venezuela but refines on average approximately 25,000 barrels per day, and which is less than half of Jamaica’s total requirements; and

• Strengthening cultural ties, including Venezuela’s El Sistema, which offers an approach to music education emphasising intensive ensemble participation from the earliest stages of a child’s development.

Maduro noted that at yesterday’s meeting there was agreement on a three-month delay before both countries meet to sign off on those proposals. But, he said that, in the meantime they would entertain close and permanent communications on various issues.

There were few references to the fact that Maduro has been facing mounting opposition to his United Socialist Party Government in the streets of Caracas which, according to international press reports, have exacerbated international concern over the oil-dependent nation’s battered economy.

However, Holness said that Jamaica looks forward to “continued cooperation and collaboration” with Venezuela, and reiterated Jamaica’s appreciation of Venezuela’s generosity over the years. He promised that Jamaica would continue to be “a voice of fairness and balance in the region”.

“We have been closely following, with concern, the political and economic developments in Venezuela, and we wish for social and political peace to prevail for the greater good and welfare of all Venezuelans,” he said.

“It is our belief that disputes should be resolved peacefully and diplomatically through dialogue, respect for democracy, rule of law, and good governance. We look forward to a timely and amicable resolution and a return to stability for the good of the people of Venezuela,” Holness added.

Maduro, however, could not help using the opportunity to express appreciation for countries which have been showing concern about the developments in the Venezuela.

He accused the “worldwide media” of an “onslaught on Venezuela” and “conspiracies against Venezuela”.

“But I would like to tell you, to reassure you that we have gone through hard times in the past. We have been able to face many challenges and this time again we will be victorious, despite all these difficulties,” the Venezuelan leader assured.

Holness urged that both countries continue to “nurture current relations in mutual trust so that we can, through dialogue about all issues, find creative solutions, bearing in mind the very deep and effective relationship that has existed between our countries for decades”.

Maduro left after visiting the Venezuelan Government-financed Bolivar Cultural Centre in downtown Kingston, named after the South American liberator Simon Bolivar.