Caribbean Nations Protest Venezuelan Rep’s OAS Appointment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Eight Caribbean community (CARICOM) countries have written to the chair of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) protesting the decision of the council to accept, by simple majority, the appointment of Gustavo Tarre as the new permanent representative of Venezuela to the hemispheric body.

Almargo, Luis – OASIn the April 22 joint letter, a copy of which has been obtained by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, said they had also taken note that on April 10, Secretary General Luis Almagro accepted the credentials of Tarre as the permanent representative of Venezuela.

The Caribbean countries said they also “endorse” the position of Mexico on the situation.

Last month Tarre presented his credentials to Almagro, who had promised to work with him “to deepen the path to democratization, peace and justice for Venezuela.” Almargo also said the “voices in favor of democracy in the hemisphere” voted for the resolution that accepted Tarre’s appointment.

SUPPORT

CARICOM, with 14 votes in the OAS, was divided on the issue. St. Lucia, Jamaica, Haiti and The Bahamas voted in favor of accepting Tarre “as the National Assembly’s designated permanent representative, pending new elections and the appointment of a democratically elected government,” in the South American country.

But Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, joined Venezuela in voting against the measure, while Barbados, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago abstained. Belize was the only CARICOM country absent when the vote was taken.

The OAS Permanent Council is chaired by the United States, which is at the forefront of efforts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn into office for a second consecutive term earlier this year, from power.

Washington wants him replaced by Juan Guaido, the Opposition leader, who has already declared himself interim president.

CARICOM adopted a united position on the Venezuelan matter and, in February, the regional leaders reiterated their position of non-interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela.

However, St. Lucia, The Bahamas, Haiti and Jamaica have supported the so-called Lima Group that is seeking Maduro’s removal. This is the third occasion so far this year they have broken ranks within CARICOM on the Venezuelan issue.