Incoming Chairman of CARICOM, Dr. Keith Mitchel, has urged the regional bloc to commit to a unified position on Venezuela, saying what is taking place there cannot be ignored.
At the same time, Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, has suggested the possibility of a CARICOM mission to the troubled South American country which is now in the grips of an economic and political crisis.
Both men spoke in Grenada where CARICOM Heads have gathered for their 38th regular meeting.
“We must also find the resolve to commit to a unified position on the current political challenge in neighboring Venezuela,” Dr. Mitchel, who is also the Prime Minister of Grenada, stated at the opening ceremony of the meeting. “We cannot ignore what is taking place in a country in which all of our member states have strong historic ties and one which countries such as Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana share maritime boundaries and borders.”
He stated that CARICOM’s international records of standing up “for political order, democracy and respect for human rights ought to inspire us, colleagues, to arrive at a clear stance on the current crisis in Venezuela.”
“Of course in doing so, we must be cognizant of the broad principles of non-interference, the support for the rule of law and order, constitutionality and the respect for human rights,” he stated.
Mitchel stated that it must be appreciated that there is a duly elected government in Venezuela “and that many of the internal struggles are also a manifestation of a struggle for political power.”
“That is understood,” he noted.
He said that CARICOM member states, as proud independent nations, share a history of anti-colonial struggle and must approach “these issues, rightfully so, with a particular mindset.”
“Indeed when certain international advocates whisper aloud for the unconstitutional regime change, we must keep pause but pause must not result in paralysis; our inaction must not be the consequence of our suspicion,” he remarked. “Colleagues, as a region, as neighbors, we need to be concerned about the anomalies and excesses and about extremism on all sides of the fence. We must stand united to condemn violence from whichever quarters it comes. We must therefore not retreat from using our close ties to nudge all parties to a position of dialogue that will be in the best interest of the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”
At a recent meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS), Grenada abstained from voting on a US-backed resolution on Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Skerrit has suggested the possibility of a CARICOM mission to Venezuela since it is not in the interest of Venezuela and the world for the crisis to continue.
Speaking to the CMC, he further suggested that the mission be made up of a couple Heads of Government and Opposition Leaders within CARICOM.
“The position with Venezuela is that we certainly condemn all forms of violence, we would like to see some dialogue take place, we would like to see a peaceful resolution to the situation,” he said. “What I would like to suggest though is the possibility of a CARICOM mission going into Venezuela, meeting with the government, meeting with the opposition and seeking to provide a better sense of leadership to finding a resolution to the current challenges confronting Venezuela.”
He said such a mission would need the approval of both the government and the opposition in Venezuela.
“But I think that offer should be considered and that offer should be made,” Skerrit said.
Over 80 people have died in the current turmoil in Venezuela.
” Keith Mitchel, has urged the regional bloc to commit to a unified position on Venezuela, saying what is taking place there cannot be ignored.”
Keith what can you do about what is transpiring in Venezuela, whether you ignore it or not! All of you are the same wishful thinking, and all talk!
Anywhere there is the rule of tyranny, and dictatorship, where the people’s rights, and freedom are taken away, chaos, and entropy are usually the result. That is what happens in socialism, and outright communism .
Socialism, and communism breads poverty; hunger is the result of poverty, as we are experiencing in Venezuela, with Venezuela’s former wealth, what we see in Venezuela today should not be! Where is Venezuela’s wealth? Some of it went to waste in Dominica, when the dictator gave to his satellite puppet Roosevelt Skerrit, in oil and loans which they have not repaid!
Dr. Mitchel, Thanks for your perspective on this issue. The late Dame, Miss. Charles would be happy to hear a voice of reason in todays crazy world. Thousands of Venezuelans crossing over the Columbian boarder daily, because they cant get the basic needs in their own Country. Our Prime Minister is talking about sending fact finding mission, I asked for what? … We cant turn a blind eyes on what happening in Venezuela. We have to see it for what it is, and our leaders in the Caribbean should stop talking nonsense about not getting involve in country’s internal affairs. This is regional affairs. A few in Dominica benefitted from Venezuela’s generosity, I think its time to pay back.
Hello and good evening my people. Well Dr Mitchel can you please tell us why America invaded and deposed an elected Government in your country. If you understand what happened in your country then you will understand what’s going on in Venezuela. This isn’t happening in a vacuum rather it’s the dirty hands of America through the CIA who’s spending money and putting embargo on basic goods to damage the economy of Venezuela. America is complaining about Russia interfering in their election but they just spent six billion dollars in Ukraine to undermine an elected Government and they support SiSi in Egypt who overthrow an elected Government . So Caricom should tell America to stop undermining the Venezuelian Government .
Tony, when did the United States placed an embargo against Venezuela?
What year did this go into effect; and are you forgetting embargos are usually implemented by the United Nations?
It is usually done collectively. If there is an embargo for any reason on Venezuela, the United Nations must be involved.
What you see in Venezuela, Tony is as of a result of the dictatorship, and socialism (communism)! Soon people will make the same claim as you have done in the case of Dominica where ours is actually a fail State. When people are hungry, and their is no source of employment caused by an incompetent regime that’s what causes the situation found in Venezuela!
Jail Maduro, jail Skerrit, jail Trump, jail Putin, jail all of those greedy wicked leaders in power ALL over the world!
What can caricom do for Venezuela? I am asking for knowledge. We ca. Provide some provisions.
We Dominicans stand in solidarity with Attorney General Luisa Ortega!
Ignore Skerrits balderdash,piffle and foolishness,and adopt the unified approach..Though I see CARICOM as a waste of time,the subject matter peters of into stupidity when Skerrit who has Dominica in a similar state as Venezuela is in, enters into the equation to solve in Venezuela,the same problem that he cannot solve at home.
SKERRIT MUS GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!
and Skerrit will not talk with the Opposition in Dominica!
I appreciate Dr. Mitchel’s take on this, his country should have also voted against the resolution and not choose to abstain. CARICOM needs to do better for their neighbours.
Rosie gonna have much egg on his face when his Marxist dictator sandbox playmate tumbles hard soon
I have reservations about a mission. Would it be a peace making mission with a mandate to mediate? That in itself would be interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs. If it is a fact -finding mission it would be as guests of the Venezuelan agents government and I doubt its members would be free to gather impressions as free agents. Obviously the government in Caracas would want to do everything possible to present appositive picture as would be supporters of their regime, who would be members of the delegation. I therefore would question the veracity of such a delegation’s findings. Such a delegation must be independent and seen to be independent.
it doesn’t seem like caricom can speak to the illegal decision of the court to dismantle the opposition control of national assembly which resulted in the breakdown of democracy….
these caricom dudes are really paper giants and great talkers, STUPESSSSSSSS
Venezuela is the poster child for political corruption, socialism and greed. The people endlessly suffer.
If there was ever a case for intervention and the overthrow of evil and corrupt men, it’s Venezuela.
What mission? You all had your chance at the OAS meeting and you turned your back on the Venezuelan people. Don’t think they don’t know that. The venezuelan people have lost respect for caribbean countries because our leaders have voted to support the authoritarian regime of Maduro instead of the people who are suffering every day. 80 plus dead already and that’s just in protests. Let’s not count the hundreds or maybe even thousands that have died because of lack of food and medicine.
Yes Sir, genius Skerrit would head that mission of course and report back that everything is fine in Venezuela, he di not see any troubles and had plenty to eat, so what is wrong? It is all the fault of the U.S.A where has his children born and his son going to an expensive private school because he could not keep up at SMA. Roosevelt has completely lost it, no credibility left.
Mitchel stated that it must be appreciated that there is a duly elected government in Venezuela “and that many of the internal struggles are also a manifestation of a struggle for political power.” yes but incomplete. It is a manifestation of a mad man named Chavez who miss managed his countries resources and did not diversify or invest in the Venezuelans economy. He was to busy trying to antagonize the US with oil money forming an unsustainable political and economical system that has come crashing down leaving the country desperate, hungry, and in poverty. Yes the people will rebel and yes the opposition rightly sees as a failing government that needs to go. However to maintain rule forever the current Gov is adjusting Constitution to screw the place more. Some in the Caricom see that as acceptable. All Maduro has to do is step down and call elections let people decide.