AMIDST unprecedented economic and political crises in Venezuela, Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have agreed to propose the Good Officer process to solve those problems.
This announcement was made by Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, at a press conference on Thursday evening at the Radisson Hotel in his home country Grenada.
The press conference followed the 38th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, which was held at the same location from July 4-6.
“CARICOM Heads of Government offered the Good Officer to facilitate this dialogue. CARICOM heads of government mandated the chairman of the conference to communicate with the parties concerned in Venezuela, about this offer,” Dr Mitchell told regional journalists.
During the two-day deliberations between the heads, the chairman noted that there was a reaffirmation of the guiding principle to the rule of law, respect for human rights and democracy, as well as for the fundamental principle of non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.
He said that the regional bloc remains concerned about the difficult political, economic and social situation in Venezuela, in particular the increase in violence and polarisation between the government and opposition, and its effects on the people of Venezuela.
“…recognising the urgent need to find a solution to the present situation, that this had to be sought internally. CARICOM heads of government call for all parties to commit to engage in a renewed dialogue and negotiation,” the chairman said.
He added that this is being done with the intention of developing a comprehensive political agreement with established timetables, and concrete actions and guarantees to ensure its implementation for Venezuela.
Meanwhile, immediate past Chairman President David Granger also weighed in on the neighbouring country’s crises, offering that “we are obviously quite concerned with the situation in that country.”
The President expressed that both Guyana and CARICOM are happy that the conference took a “principled position” on the situation.
“We are interested in a peaceful outcome to the troubles in Venezuela and we will continue to work as a community and we will continue to work within the framework of the OAS [Organisation of American States] to ensure that everything possible is done… to get a peaceful outcome; one that satisfies the people of Venezuela and one that keeps the region a zone of peace,” he said.
In April of this year, Venezuela signalled its intention to leave the OAS.
The notice begins a two-year exit process from the Western Hemisphere bloc that had become a forum for its neighbours to exert pressure on Venezuela.
Venezuela is in the midst of unprecedented economic and political crises, marked by severe food and medicine shortages.
Critics of President Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, are contending that Venezuela’s economic woes are the fruit of years of economic mismanagement, while Maduro’s supporters are blaming falling oil prices and the country’s “corrupt” business elites.
The CARICOM region has benefited tremendously from an oil arrangement with Venezuela over the years.
In 2015, the oil-producing country opted not to renew its arrangement with Guyana, due to an ongoing border controversy.
Venezuela is claiming two-thirds of Guyana’s land space, including maritime space where oil deposits have been found.
