CARICOM leaders hold emergency meeting to discuss Venezuela crisis

Leaders from across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), met via video conference on Thursday in a special emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.

While CARICOM is yet to issue an official position on the situation in Venezuela, several countries in the region have already taken a stance on the crisis in the South American nation.

In the case of Jamaica, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the government is closely monitoring the latest developments.

Guyana says it is gravely concerned at the deepening of the political crisis and supports calls made at both the regional and international levels for immediate dialog involving all political and social actors, with a view to the preservation of the democratic process and a return to normality.

On Wednesday, opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself interim leader of Venezuela, a move recognized by the United States.

Subsequently, President Nicolás Maduro, who retains some other nations’ support, broke off relations with the US.

Maduro has been in office since 2013. He was sworn in for a 2nd term earlier this month, after winning a May 2018 election marred by an opposition boycott and widespread claims of vote-rigging.

Earlier this month, the Bahamas, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and St. Lucia supported a resolution by the Organization of American States in not recognizing the 2nd 5-year term of President Maduro, while Dominica, Suriname, and St Vincent & the Grenadines voted against the measure.

Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, St. Kitts & Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago abstained during the vote, while Grenada was not present when the matter was put to the vote. (CMC)