Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Dr Ken Baugh (right), greets the host of the evening, Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

There's something about persons celebrating their country's independence that brings out the smiles.

The Venezuelan community in Jamaica had that feeling when they celebrated 197 years of independence with a reception on Monday.

Even after nearly 200 years of recognising the day, it still has not turned into a run-of-the-mill event; at least, not in Jamaica.

The festive atmosphere was just what was expected at the Terra Nova All-Suite hotel, as guests filed in for the reception.

Ambassador Noel Martinez gave a brief history of his country's independence before speaking of its assistance to, and solidarity with, other Latin American countries and the Caribbean.

A little hip-moving music and plenty of potables for the gathering added to the celebratory mood of the event.

Guests included British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell and companion, Dr Barbara Munske, St Kitts High Commissioner Cedric Harper and wife Barbara, Haitian charge d'affaires Max Alce, Dominican Republic Ambassador Filomena Navarro, Chilean Ambassador Alfredo Garcia and wife Luz Santamaria, Oswald and Marigold Harding, Delroy Chuck, Dr Simon Clarke, Yvon and Cynthia DeSulme, Damian Obiglio, Ada Morales, Frank Rosheuvel, Ramon and Deidre Corvera, Dr Ruth Potopsingh, Earl and Beverly Levy, Ambassador Dr Matthew Beaubrun, Dr Ernest Pate, Anton and Maria Boerger, Omar Azan, Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin, Ronald Jackson, Lorne McDonnough and Dr Jonathan Greenland.

A bubbly Anissa Tangwell (centre) and friend, Claudette Preston, greet Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez at his country's National Day reception.

The inseparable Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley (right) and wife Jo-Ann catch up with Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez at the latter's National Day reception, held at Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, St Andrew, on Monday.

Intern at the Venezuelan embassy, Rashida Gayle, greets 'boss', Ambassador Noel Martinez.

Ambassador Martinez welcomes embassy staff member Rosemarie Gardner (centre) and her daughter, Janique Hendricks, to the reception.

'I think he's taking our picture,' may be what Dr Leon Vaughn is thinking as he exchanges looks with Ingrid Hamilton