A CARICOM delegation yesterday expressed grave concern over the situation in Venezuela during a meeting with the United Nations Secretary General and highlighted the importance of refraining from the threat or use of force.
A CARICOM release yesterday said that the delegation comprised St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Timothy Harris, Chair-man of CARICOM; Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Dr Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; Peter David, Foreign Minister of Grenada; Irwin LaRocque, CARICOM Secretary-General and the Permanent Representatives of these countries. They met with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss the situation in Venezuela.
The release said that the CARICOM delegation expressed its “grave concern over the untenable situation in Venezuela” and strongly urged that further deterioration would seriously aggravate the plight of Venezuelans. CARICOM, the delegation said, was steadfast that the region must remain a Zone of Peace.
The CARICOM delegation emphasised its commitment to Article 2(4) of the UN Charter which calls on states to refrain from the threat or the use of force.
“CARICOM has been consistent in the critical importance it accords to the key principles of non-interference and non-intervention. CARICOM reaffirmed the view that there was an urgent need for meaningful dialogue leading to a peaceful internal solution for the Venezuelan people. The Caribbean Community is resolute in its belief that it is never too late for dialogue since the consequences of no dialogue will be dire”, the release said.
The release added that the United Nations Secretary General extended his offer of good offices, circumstances permitting, to enable dialogue and negotiation between the parties. The CARICOM delegation indicated its readiness to work to bring the parties to the negotiating table.
To this end, the visiting CARICOM Heads of Government also engaged with various Permanent Representatives – Canada, the Russian Federation, the European Union and the African Union. They also met with the President of Venezuela and the Foreign Minister of Mexico with a view to reducing tensions and build a platform for dialogue. Further engagements will take place in the next few days as the situation remains fluid, the release said.
