ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The Dominica government Wednesday described as “mischievous and ill informed” reports that the island cannot make payments to Venezuela for petroleum products received under the existing PetroCaribe initiative. Acting Prime Minister Reginald Austrie, speaking on the state-owned DBS radio, said the arrangement with Caracas “is alive, it’s transparent and we continue to enjoy the very excellent relationship with the government of Venezuela”. Media reports said that the Venezuelan oil company, PDVSA, is asking the government to pay up US$23 million in outstanding payments.
