St. George’s, Grenada, October 8, 2012 – A former Grenada foreign minister has welcomed Sunday’s successful re-election bid by President Hugo Chavez, saying it would allow for the continuation of programs in Grenada sponsored by government and people of Venezuela.

It’s the third consecutive six-year term for Chavez, who battled illness for several months and had a tough political challenge from a youthful rival, Henrique Capriles, who led a coalition of opposition groups.

“With all that he has been through, it must be a satisfying feeling for President Chavez to have on Sunday,’’ said MP Peter David, former Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister of Grenada.

“Mr. Chavez must be congratulated and he is wished all the best as he continues his efforts at raising the living standards of Venezuela’s poor, and in extending solidarity and support to Grenada and other countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.’’

Michael Shifter, president of the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue think tank, said what perhaps made the difference in the elections is the affinity and gratefulness Venezuela’s poor feel for Chavez.

“Despite his illness, I still think he retains a strong emotional connection with a lot of Venezuelans that I think were not prepared to vote against him,’’ Shifter said.

“They still think that he’s trying hard even if he’s not delivering what he promised; that he still has their best interests at heart.”

A Capriles victory would have brought a radical foreign policy shift, including a likely halt to the Petro Caribe oil arrangement that Venezuela has with Grenada and other regional countries.

Revenue from Petro Caribe is used to help meet payment shortfalls for many national programs in Grenada.

David said he looks forward to the finishing of Venezuelan-sponsored programs that are in the pipeline, such as the upgrade at the Roy St. John Playing Field and the demolition of the surrounding wall; the completion of the Morne Tout multipurpose complex; and the start of work on the Snell playing field and community centre in St. Patrick.

“I also want to take this opportunity once again,’’ said David, “to thank Venezuela and its former Ambassador to Grenada, His Excellency Carlos Perez Silva, for assisting us to complete and formally open the Pavilion at Tanteen, the first phase of the Market Square project and the Ford Bride in St. Andrew. We are very thankful to the government of Venezuela for their continued support.’’