Published 8 January 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
No one taken to court for torching the Venezuelan Embassy and OAS Secretariat
Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 9, 2018 – Four years after the Embassy of Venezuela was gutted by fire and a failed attempt to burn down the Organization of American States (OAS) Secretariat in St. Kitts on January 5 2014, no one has been brought to justice, although two persons charged in connection with the embassy fire have been released.
In a statement on January 23, 2014, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force said one male of Phillips’ Village and formerly of Lodge Project, had been formally arrested and charged in connection with the fire which consumed the building that housed the Venezuelan Embassy.
The Police said the Fire Department had indicated that according to the evidence which they discovered at the scene, it was suspected that it was the work of an arsonist.
The man was charged with arson and malicious damage.
On January 31, 2014, the St. Kitts-Nevis Observer reported that a female, also of Phillips’ Village, was charged with arson of the Venezuelan Embassy.
“She faces the offence of ‘unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to a certain building devoted and dedicated to a public use to wit the Venezuelan Embassy’,” said the report.
The OAS Secretariat located not far away was also set on fire but received minor structural damage before Fire and Rescue extinguished the flames.
“Investigation revealed that the building was intentionally set on fire, and an abandoned vehicle, motor car P7809 was found at the scene and taken into police custody along with other items. Two (2) persons are currently in police custody assisting with the investigation,” the Observer reported quoting Police Public Relations Officer Inspector Lyndon David.
