Prime Minister Gaston Browne expresses gratitude to President Nicolás Maduro and Minister Raúl for facilitating the return of Denise Odelia Charles, an Antiguan woman missing for over three decades in Venezuela, highlighting strong Caribbean-Venezuelan solidarity.

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On May 20, 2025, Denise Odelia Charles, an Antiguan woman who had been missing for 32 years and five months, was reunited with her family at VC Bird International Airport in Antigua. The Venezuelan government arranged a private charter flight to repatriate Charles, marking a significant humanitarian achievement supported by the close diplomatic ties between Antigua and Venezuela.

PM Gaston Browne Publicly Acknowledges Venezuelan Support

Prime Minister Gaston Browne took to social media to thank Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Minister Raúl for their crucial role in facilitating the transportation and return of Denise Charles. Browne described the reunion as an “incredible outcome” and praised the resilience of Charles’s family throughout the decades-long absence. The Prime Minister emphasized that this event serves as a powerful reminder for Antiguans and Barbudans to maintain hope regardless of time passed.

Hoy tuvimos el privilegio de recibir junto al Viceministro Raúl Li Causi y el Primer Ministro de Antigua y Barbuda Gaston Browne, a la Sra. Denise Charles, quien regresó a su tierra natal gracias al apoyo del PM Gaston Browne y del Presidente de Venezuela Nicolás Maduro🇻🇪🇦🇬 pic.twitter.com/n7lVKs8gW1

— Embassy of Venezuela in Antigua and Barbuda (@EmbaVEAntigua) May 21, 2025

The text reads: Today, we had the privilege of welcoming Mrs. Denise Charles, along with Vice Minister Raúl Li Causi and the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne. She returned to her homeland thanks to the support of PM Gaston Browne and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

Family Welcomes Denise Charles Back Home

Denise Charles arrived shortly after 10 a.m. aboard the Venezuelan-arranged private jet. She was warmly greeted on the tarmac by PM Browne, her brother Terrence Charles, and her nephew Tishorn Watson, who had traveled to Venezuela to accompany her back. The emotional reunion highlighted the human dimension of regional solidarity and cooperation between Caribbean nations and Venezuela.

While details surrounding Charles’s prolonged absence remain private, she is expected to speak publicly in the coming weeks about her experiences during the 32 years spent in Venezuela. Left-wing sources emphasize the importance of this reunion as a testament to the humanitarian and diplomatic efforts led by progressive governments in the region, underscoring Venezuela’s commitment to supporting its Caribbean neighbors in moments of need.

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