BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – St. Kitts and Nevis Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas, says as chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), he is prepared to “coordinate any collective action aimed at achieving a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the challenges” in Venezuela.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in calling for “peace, adherence to the rule of law as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and respect for the fundamental rights of all parties involved,” said that it remains in contact with the Chargé d’ Affaires at the Venezuelan Embassy here “for routine updates on the ground in Venezuela and the developments in the judicial process in the United States”.
Last Saturday, the United States military invaded Venezuela and seized President Nicolas Maduro on allegations of being involved in the illegal drug trade.
Maduro and his wife appeared in a Federal Court in New York on Monday, where they both pleaded not guilty to the charges. The matter was adjourned to March 17 this year.
The 25-page indictment accuses Maduro and others of working with drug cartels to facilitate the shipment of thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S. They could face life in prison if convicted.
The St. Kitts and Nevis government said it wanted to express its grave concern regarding the developments in Venezuela and is urging “all parties involved to exercise restraint and de-escalate tensions.
“We remain deeply engaged in monitoring the fluid situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and its neighbours and reaffirm our steadfast hope for the safety and well-being of the Venezuelan people. In this light, we express our regret for the loss of lives related to the extraction of President Maduro and his wife from their home in Caracas,” said the twin island Federation, whose Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew is also the chairman of the 15-member CARICOM grouping.
“As Chair of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), the Right Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs offers his readiness to coordinate any collective action aimed at achieving a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the challenges,” the government said.
In a statement issued last weekend and repeated during the OAS meeting, CARICOM leaders reiterated their call for “peaceful dialogue” to ensure stability in Venezuela.
“CARICOM is firmly committed to the fundamental principles of international law and multilateralism enshrined in the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and respect for human dignity.
“The Region reiterates its call for peaceful dialogue through diplomatic channels to ensure Venezuela’s stability, good governance, democracy and prosperity for the people of Venezuela,” the regional leaders said, adding that “CARICOM remains ready to support all such efforts, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.
President Donald Trump has said that his administration intends to “run” Venezuela from Washington.
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