CARICOM ISSUED A JOINT COMMUNIQUE RESPONDING TO THE INCREASE IN SUFFERING OF THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE.

The Government of Saint Lucia continues to monitor the escalating situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which has caused immense hardship and suffering for the people of that country.

With the safety and security of Saint Lucia’s borders being a paramount consideration for the government, Saint Lucia has seen an influx of arms and drugs with Venezuelan origins, as well as the illegal entry of Venezuelans, all exacerbated by the instability in Venezuela.

In a statement on Jan. 10, at the Special Meeting of the OAS Permanent Council, Saint Lucia also voiced concern over the entry of external actors into the Caribbean and Latin American space. Saint Lucia urged Venezuela to “come back into the fold; back to principles that ensure openness and democracy; and back to the table with your friends.”

At last week’s Thirtieth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, a joint communique was issued by CARICOM, which responded to the ensuing increase in hardship and suffering of the Venezuelan people. The statement read in part: “The people of Venezuela must be allowed to decide their own future in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter: non-intervention, non-interference, prohibition of the threat or use of force, respect for the rule of law, human rights, and democracy. As CARICOM has ceaselessly advocated, for this objective to be attained, there has to be a meaningful and internal dialogue between the contending parties. This dialogue must determine how best the crisis can be resolved within the confines of the constitution and the rule of law, whether by referendum, elections, or any other agreed mechanism. Nothing short of this will lead to the quelling of this crisis or provide the relief that all Venezuelans desire.”

Saint Lucia also joined CARICOM in calling for a commitment to the delivery of humanitarian aid that utilizes United Nations mechanisms that have been used over the years for the impartial and effective delivery of relief.

Based on Saint Lucia’s known position on the issue of the May 2018 election, and the statements by CARICOM, Saint Lucia has hoped that that the current regime would move toward fresh and fair elections to solve this crisis. Saint Lucia has noted, however, that the regime has ignored this call which has the support of the majority of countries of the world.

It should be noted that there are more than 50 countries, including two from CARICOM that have gone a step further to officially recognize Juan Guiado as the Interim President, and support the role that he can play in ensuring fresh elections.

Saint Lucia will continue to work with all concerned countries and organizations, in order to secure democracy in Venezuela and ensure regional stability.