The president of Venezuela has announced that his wife will travel to St Vincent & the Grenadines to study English.

Last week Venezuela’s president NicolÁs Maduro, announced that First Lady Cilia Flores, would learn the English language in SVG as part of an agreement recently signed between the 2 nations to strengthen bilateral relations.

Though Maduro gave no further information, the idea has already come under fire as critics say considering expenses on lodging, security, and supplies, Flores’ learning English outside of Venezuela is a waste of government funds.

Some say it would be more cost effect to fly St. Vincent’s best instructor to Venezuela for private lessons or for her to take online classes.

Others simply question why a suitable language instructor could not be found locally.

Accused of misappropriating government funds,

Venezuelan diplomatic staff in St Vincent,

admitted that Maduro’s last delegation to visit the island

included three airplanes at full capacity carrying Maduro, Flores,

2 Venezuelan governors, all their families,

and enough food to feed them for three days.

Over the past few weeks,

Maduro has been visiting several CARICOM countries,

bringing gifts and messages of solidarity,

however it is believed that it was Flores’ idea

to improve relations with small Caribbean islands.

Some political observers say the trips

are an attempt to drum up CARICOM support

amidst the on-going border dispute

between Venezuela and Guyana.

While others say Flores is preparing

for her family’s possible exile from Venezuela

amid corruption allegations.