Hanoi (VNA) – Former Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam Jorge Rondón Uzcátegui has voiced his confidence that the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) - architect and driver of the 40-year “Doi moi” (Renewal) process - will sketch out a solid foundation for Vietnam to achieve its socio-economic goals through 2030 and shape its long-term vision toward 2045.
In a handwritten letter congratulating the Congress, which he has closely followed through the Venezuelan media in recent days, Uzcátegui expressed his keen interest in today’s Vietnam, major resolutions to be adopted, and development path chosen by the CPV and the Vietnamese people in the new period.
The former diplomat, who devoted more than half of his diplomatic career to Vietnam, highly valued Vietnam’s achievements in streamlining its political system, restructuring administrative units at all levels, particularly the successful implementation of the two-tier local administration model.
Working in Hanoi from 2006 to 2022, Uzcátegui became closely connected with Vietnam’s political, cultural, and social life. Beyond representing Venezuela, he served as Head of the Diplomatic Corps in Hanoi, a familiar presence at diplomatic events.
He is remembered not for how long he served, but for how closely he lived alongside Vietnam - listening, learning, and understanding its people through everyday experiences. He learned Vietnamese to truly understand the people, to fully grasp their joys and sorrows, concerns and aspirations.
Uzcátegui often spoke with special reverence of President Ho Chi Minh, regarding Vietnam’s independence struggle as a powerful inspiration for Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution. He recognised a rare similarity between Vietnam and his homeland - steadfast commitment to independence and national sovereignty, confidence in the path chosen by the people, and perseverance in building a just and humane society.
Building on this common understanding, Uzcátegui worked tirelessly to strengthen the special friendship between the two nations, advancing cooperation in key areas, including oil and gas, agriculture, and trade; and deepening the political and ideological connections between their ruling parties.
Beyond official duties, Uzcátegui served as a true “cultural envoy”. He brought Venezuelan culture to Vietnam through exhibitions, culinary weeks, and lively Latin American music events, while sharing Vietnam’s story with his homeland with heartfelt sincerity. For him, diplomacy went beyond national interests - it was about connecting people and shared values across geographical boundaries.
Vietnam recognised his contributions with prestigious honours, including the Friendship Order and the Insignia “For Peace and Friendship Among Nations,” but his greatest reward remains the memory of a resilient, compassionate, and ever-evolving Vietnam - a country he continues to follow even after leaving his post.
Ahead of the 14th National Party Congress, Uzcátegui’s visit to the Vietnamese Embassy in Caracas to deliver his letter, was more than a formal courtesy - it marked the return of a friend confident that the CPV will continue steering the nation through challenges, safeguarding independence and self-reliance, and push Vietnam further along the path of people-centred development.
The former diplomat once said when leaving Hanoi in 2019 that: “Vietnam is not only a place where I worked, it became a part of my diplomatic life”. Today, in his message to the 14th National Party Congress, his enduring affection for Vietnam remains steadfast, a quiet thread connecting friends across half the globe in shared aspirations for peace, independence, and social justice./.
