Several countries including the USA and and Canada have recently supported the claim of Juan Guaido as the president of Venezuela. We already know who Russia backs, do we have another Syria in the making only this time within the Caribbean region? Who Is Juan Guaidó? Venezuela’s Young Opposition Leader By Ana Vanessa Herrero…
Several countries including the USA and and Canada have recently supported the claim of Juan Guaido as the president of Venezuela. We already know who Russia backs, do we have another Syria in the making only this time within the Caribbean region?
CARACAS, Venezuela — A group of soldiers turned against the government and declared allegiance to the opposition. Foreign officials say the government could soon run out of money to meet bare-bones needs. And countries across the region have called the president an illegitimate dictator.
Conditions in Venezuela have deteriorated to a point where the opposition — gutted by the jailing and exiling of many of its leaders and discredited after several failed efforts to oust President Nicolás Maduro — is seeing an opportunity. Leading them is a virtually unheard-of 35-year-old, Juan Guaidó.
His debut as opposition leader and head of the National Assembly this month has captured the attention of those within the country and outside of it — mainly for his striking claim that Mr. Maduro is not a legitimate ruler and his willingness to take charge of a transitional government.
“The relationship between Venezuela and its state today is one of terror,” Mr. Guaidó said in an interview. “When this happens, the voices and hopes of the world, their messages, are the encouragement for the daily struggle to resist — to dream of democracy, and for a better country.”
295 responses to “Juan Guaidó, Venezuela AND Caricom”
GreenMonkey
If the US shale oil fracking boom/ponzi scheme goes bust in a couple of years and US oil production takes a final swan dive off the high board, guaranteed access on favourable terms to those large Venezuelan reserves of more conventional type oil sure would come in handy – nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
The Shale Oil Boom is an Economic BUST
The shale oil boom is based upon bad assumptions. It has been paid for by selling futures that don’t exist, and by tremendous amounts of debt.
I analyze how this will affect those companies as well as the economy and where our lives are about to get more expensive. This will be a massive bust that will spiral the US into an economic recession.
For those on limited budgets or are just barely making ends meet, this is a must see video. I break down some ways you can help protect yourself against the rising prices, but you do not have a lot of time to act.
We “punching”, is the OAS meeting the Sec. General? Where is Guyana? It has the most to be concerned about given the territorial claims that have been made by Venezuela.
BTW Mia is getting into Freundel territory with all the frequent flyer miles, plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.
Would Freudel have been invited to participate in such a meeting?
What does it say?
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Sargeant
@David
I don’t know or care whether the meeting is by invitation only or whether Freundel would have been invited, my question still, is the OAS involved? Since the OAS comprises the US, Mexico, Canada and most of the Latin American countries and they are likely to have greater say in any discussion.
BTW Barbados is also a member of the OAS, it should make for an interesting dynamic if there are conflicting visions of proposed actions to resolve the situation
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Hal Austin
Nice to see Barbados is punching above its weight again with the PM off to New York to discuss Venezuela. But what is the Caricom/Barbados’s position on Venezuela? Is the prime minister making it up as she goes along?
The way, why do some people on BU get so angry and hostile when people hold views different to theirs?
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Artax
Donna
No, I’m not going to burst a blood vessel……and I usually scroll pass….but…..
It reminds me of one contributor asking if old aged pension is adequate and another responding by giving a historical review of mathematics.
We have already discussed that Caricom is conflicted regarding a one policy. OAS will not be able to do the job.
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GreenMonkey
Reporter in Venezuela says the US sponsored coup is not going as smoothly as planned. Problem is, as he sees it, while Maduro is distrusted/loathed by many, most from the high and wealthier middle classes society, the opposition politicians are equally distrusted/loathed by the same amount of people or more from the lower classes, i.e. those who benefited from the Chavez instituted reforms.
“U.S. Plot In Venezuela FAILING” Says Caracas Reporter
Green Monkey your Propaganda Videos are almost believable except for those who Question and do Research… From the first Video the information of those two Abigail Suzanne Martin and Michael Prysner are the Red Flag for the others…
Trump was speaking of the cost of war and the stupidity of Hillary Clinton when they went into Libya because they were all Planning the Muslim Brotherhood Dependency… Thump is a Pragmatic man not an Ideologue!
Imagine Abigail Suzanne Martin and Michael Prysner are criticizing the media that hate Trump so much and saying that they are lying when they themselves are even more Left than CNN!
Abigail Suzanne Martin is an American citizen journalist and presenter, who most recently hosted the series The Empire Files WITH THE FUNDING OF THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT. She was formerly the host of Breaking the Set on the network RT America, (RUSSIAN OWNED NETWORK) working from the Washington, D.C. bureau. Before hosting her own show, she had worked for TWO YEARS as a correspondent for RT America.
Michael Prysner is an American political activist. He is the co-founder of March Forward!, an organization of active-duty members of the US military and veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who encourages current active-duty service personnel to Resist Deployment.
Prysner is a US Army veteran who served in Iraq. His rank was corporal.
He is a member of Party for Socialism and Liberation. He is also a member of A.N.S.W.E.R..
WELL WELL LOOKIE LOOKIE…Prysner is also a producer and co-writer for the program The Empire Files, with Abby Martin. Michael Prysner and Abby Martin hosted the series The Empire Files WITH THE FUNDING OF THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT. THEY WERE BOTH EMPLOYED BY THE MADURO.
The Other Video Follow the same talking points probably supplied by players Suzanne Martin and Michael Prysner
Green Monkey better get down out of that tree …You, Abigail Suzanne Martin and Michael Prysner are Socialist/Communist to De Bone!!
As for your Video on Shale Oil Boom is an Economic BUST the information comes from the New York Times the Leftist News Organization of LIES
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Freedom Crier
Oh Yes the last video comes from another Journalist who was on RT (Russian Television) reporting in Venezuela…Its not hard to know who is funding him!! You can’t make this up…Pure Communist Propaganda backing Maduro!
Keep Rowling Green Monkey the more you’ll be exposed!!!
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Freedom Crier
The Video Presenter from … GreenMonkey January 27, 2019 7:22 PM & GreenMonkey January 28, 2019 7:30 AM
James Patrick Anthony Dore is an American stand-up comedian and political commentator best known for hosting The Jimmy Dore Show and co-hosting The Aggressive Progressives on The Young Turks network (The Young Turks (TYT) is a progressive left-wing American news and commentary program on YouTube. “Young Turk”, meaning a “progressive or insurgent member of an institution, movement, or political party” or a “young person who rebels against authority or societal expectations”) His political views can be described as progressive, populist, leftist, anti-establishment and anti-war. This Guy is the Left of the Left so he would say anything against America wither Republican or Democrat and he has… Dore has been an aggressive critic of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Mitt Romney and other mainstream Democrats and Republicans. He is Anti American Period!!
Dore uses all the tactics of the average, run-of-the-mill conspiracy theorist, such as saying that you should not believe anyone from the government… Dore is Quite a fitting Candidate to Spout Communist Narratives!
And you Say the America is Meddling in Venezuela’s Democracy…
THE MOSCOW TIMES
“The Moscow Times is an English-language weekly newspaper published in Moscow, with a circulation of 55,000 copies. It is distributed free of charge at places frequented by English-speaking tourists and expatriates such as hotels, cafés, embassies, and airlines, and is also available by subscription”…. Wikipedia
Russian Mercenaries Arrive in Venezuela to Shore Up Maduro’s Rule
Private military contractors who do secret missions for Russia flew into Venezuela in the past few days to beef up security for President Nicolas Maduro in the face of U.S.-backed opposition protests, according to two people close to them.
A third source close to the Russian contractors also told Reuters there was a contingent of them in Venezuela, but could not say when they arrived or what their role was.
Russia, which has backed Maduro’s socialist government to the tune of billions of dollars, this week promised to stand by him after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself president with Washington’s endorsement.
It was the latest international crisis to split the global superpowers, with the United States and Europe backing Guaido, and Russia Maduro.
Cuba connection?
He said they set off in two chartered aircraft for Havana, Cuba, from where they transferred onto regular commercial flights to Venezuela. The Cuban government, a close ally of Venezuela’s ruling socialists for the last two decades, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The contractors’ task in Venezuela was to protect Maduro from any attempt by opposition sympathisers in his own security forces to detain him, Shabayev said.
“Our people are there directly for his protection,” he said.
Venezuelan authorities said they had put down an attempted revolt on Monday by rogue military officers about a kilometre from the presidential palace in Caracas…
Publicly-available flight-tracking data has shown a number of Russian government aircraft landing in or near Venezuela over past weeks, though there was no evidence the flights were connected to military contractors.
A Russian Ilyushin-96 flew into Havana late on Wednesday after starting its journey in Moscow and flying via Senegal and Paraguay, the data showed.
The aircraft, a civilian jet, is owned by a division of the Russian presidential administration, according to a publicly-available procurement contract relating to the plane.
Caricom? CSME? Both leads have to be there? Colour me naiive but these folks just taking advantage of another junket and where is the Caricom Ambassador? This matter is well above his pay grade anyway.
As for Mia, land on the ground “solve” one problem, fly to NYC solve another which gets me thinking the DLP Gov’t was unable to obtain any resolution on the fishing dispute with T & T, given the new dispensation and negotiating skills that the PM is bringing to the table can we expect an agreement soon? After Venezuela Trinidad fishing agreement should be a cakewalk.
There you go again! Expecting miracles from the leaders of the Caricom countries, but silent as a church mouse on ineffectiveness of your prime minister on the Brexit.issue.
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Hal Austin
Has CARICOM formed a collective view on Venezuela yet? What has been the outcome of the meeting with the UN secretary general?
@ Bajan in New York,
Is expecting a collective view from Caricom expecting a miracle?
Caricom is not yet the complete lapdog of the USA than the UK/EU is, so don’t expect unified support for the USA’s position from Caricom.
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Hal Austin
Bajan in New York,
Do you understand basic English? I am not being rude, just want to help. Where have I suggested that Caricom should follow the US?
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Sir Simple Simon, P.C.
I am worried about what is happening in Venezuela. But I am not at sure if installing the opposition leader as President is the solution. Truthfully I don’t know what is the solution. Or the solutions. The U.S. is good at the military thingy. If I had a war to fight I would certainly “hire” the U.S. military. But over the last 50 years the U.S. has not been so good at turning “military victories” in good, democratic, peaceful, civilian governments.
And “yes” I think that the U.S. knows these things, good militarily. Not so good civilly.
So my questions to all would be.
After the military victory then what?
What would Venezuela look like in 5 years or 10, or 20, or 50?
With its enormous oil and gas reserves would every Venezuelan be well fed, well housed, well educated, healthy?
In recent years does the U.S. have the stomach, the patience required to wait long enough, and the willingness to spend the money necessary to ensure good, democratic, peaceful, civilian government.
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Sir Simple Simon, P.C.
It is easier to be a 5 star general, than it is to be an excellent leader of a democracy.
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Sir Simple Simon, P.C.
The U.S. of course has not long been a democracy. It cannot have been when segments of its population were long denied basic civil rights. So how can the U.S. export democracy, when it has so seldom practiced democracy at home?
In a “democracy” here is this gal suggesting that Chinese students not speak anything but English on the university campus.
Some questions:
Is the professor English unilingal or does she speak multiple languages?
Has she ever traveled to a foreign non-English speaking country? If not why not?
When she is in a non-English speaking country, does she speak the native language exclusively?
Do Chinese academics in China, order American students to speak Chinese exclusively?
And why did her colleagues need photographs of the Chinese students whose “sin” was that they spoke their mother tongue?
And what exactly were the unintended consequences that the Chinese speaking students would suffer at the hands of American academics?
If even the academy is infected with this nonsense do we see now why the U.S. is incapable of exporting democracy?
No doubt some idiot would go to Venezuela and order the people there to speak English only or suffer the consequences.
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GreenMonkey
Former UN Expert: US Sanctions in Venezuela Largely Responsible for Crisis, Possible “Crime Against Humanity”
“What’s at stake is the enormous, enormous natural resources of Venezuela. And I sense that if Venezuela had no natural resources no one would give a damn about Chavez or Maduro or anybody else there.” — Former UN official Alfred de Zayas
by Whitney Webb
De Zayas, who completed his term at the UN less than a year ago, has been critical of the U.S. sanctions regimen — which began in earnest in 2015 when former President Barack Obama declared Venezuela a “national security threat” without evidence. Since then, President Donald Trump has intensified sanctions and has also openly mulled a military intervention in the country, which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves.
Notably, this is not the first time that de Zayas has spoken up about the dangerous consequences of U.S. sanctions. Last September, de Zayas presented an explosive report he had helped compile to the UN Human Rights Council, showing that “economic warfare,” and sanctions in particular, practiced by the U.S. and its allies have greatly exacerbated Venezuela’s economic crisis. The U.S. had withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council a few months prior to the release of de Zaya’s report, citing the body’s alleged bias against Israel.
SNIP
When I come and I say the emigration [of Venezuelans to other countries] is partly attributable to the economic war waged against Venezuela and is partly attributable to the sanctions, people don’t like to hear that. They just want the simple narrative that socialism failed and it failed the Venezuelan people.”
Indeed, de Zaya’s past report and recent interview are at odds with the narratives commonly promoted by many media outlets and even some prominent NGOs, which lay the entirety of the blame for the country’s economic crisis on the Maduro-led government.
De Zayas, who was also formerly the UN Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order, added:
When I came back [the UN and media were] not interested. Because I am not singing the song I’m supposed to sing so I don’t exist … And my report, as I said, was formally presented but there has been no debate on the report. It has been filed away.”
He also recounted to The Independent that he had been given the “cold shoulder” by top UN officials, including then-UN Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, because they “are only interested in a rapporteur who is going to … do grandstanding, is going to condemn the government and ask for regime change. And I went there to listen. I went there to find out what’s actually going on.”
“Prime Minister Mia Mottley will join two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) colleagues in New York on Monday for talks with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss the crisis in Venezuela.”
As the US with the war monger ramps us to invade Venezuela Keep the following in mind:
1) The US consulate remains in Venezuela to provide a tripwire for the US invasion.
2) One can expect to see (US) Caribbean lackeys withcap in hand heading toward the US. Do not be surprise if a few Caribbean countries are mentioned as supporting the unvasion….
Would be funny if Trump announced “We have the support of the sh!thole countries ….
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theogazerts
As the US with the warmonger (John Bolton) ramps us to invade Venezuela Keep the following in mind:
1) Staff of the US embassty remain in Venezuela to provide a tripwire for the US invasion. Do you remember how the safety of US students became the pretext for the US invasion of Grenada.
2) One can expect to see (US) Caribbean lackeys with caps in hand heading toward the US. Do not be surprise if a few Caribbean countries are mentioned as supporting the invasion. It should come as no surprise if more time is spent wit US officials than with UN staff.
Would be funny if Trump announced “We have the support of several sh!thole countries of the Caribbean”
It is a state of mind..
5,000 troops to Colombia. You gotta like how they float the buildup of troops next to Venezuela…
The invasion will be televised
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Freedom Crier
@GreenMonkey January 28, 2019 10:47 PM You keep Exposing those that have the same leanings as you do… Bottom Line Alfred Maurice de Zayas is a Communist!
The Former UN official Alfred Maurice de Zayas (born May 31, 1947 in Havana, Cuba)…
I should say Nuff Said but not so fast… What you call dangerous US Sanctions, the Reality is … In Venezuela, “men, women and children are starving, but their government continues to focus on consolidating power. I applaud the administration for today’s actions to deny Maduro additional financing to line the pockets of his enablers, and further shore up his dictatorship. We must continue to stand with the people of Venezuela –- and with our allies –- to restore democracy and basic human rights.”
U.S. sanctions need not be permanent; they are intended to change behavior. The United States would consider lifting sanctions for persons sanctioned under E.O. 13692 that take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order refuse to take part in human rights abuses and speak out against abuses committed by the government, and combat corruption in Venezuela.
Today’s action shows that the United States will continue to take concrete and forceful action against those who are involved in the destruction of democracy in Venezuela as well as those who are enriching themselves at the expense of the Venezuelan people. The United States will continue to use the full weight of American economic and diplomatic power to help create the conditions for the restoration of democracy for the Venezuelan people.
“The United States is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuela’s tragic decline,” Mnuchin said. “PdVSA has long been a vehicle for embezzlement, for corruption for Venezuelan officials and businessmen. Today’s designation of PdVSA will help prevent further diversion of Venezuela’s assets by Maduro, and will preserve these assets for the people of Venezuela where they belong.”
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., applauded Friday’s sanctions in a tweeted statement. He said, in part, “These carefully calibrated sanctions send a strong signal to the Maduro regime while still allowing for much needed humanitarian assistance”
In the meantime the Russians are Suring up the Venezuelan Military against their own people, they are no longer in charge foreigners are … but they will not go to war with the US neither will China at this time!
Meanwhile the Commies still at it on BU because ONE OF THEIR OWN IS GOING DOWN!! If you think Russia or China is going to war you lie or fooling yourself, so the Communist on BU are Mourning and are Lamenting.
Well..it looks like what Mia said at the meet in NYC yesterday…is the direct opposite of what her Caricom Ambassador Comissiong is saying and thinking, of course he now has to keep a very low profile and stop running off at the mouth…with the comrade rhetoric..
@GreenMonkey January 28, 2019 10:47 PM You keep Exposing those that have the same leanings as you do… Bottom Line Alfred Maurice de Zayas is a Communist!
The Former UN official Alfred Maurice de Zayas (born May 31, 1947 in Havana, Cuba)… I should say Nuff Said but not so fast… What you call dangerous US Sanctions the Reality is … In Venezuela, “men, women and children are starving, but their government continues to focus on consolidating power. I applaud the administration for today’s actions to deny Maduro additional financing to line the pockets of his enablers, and further shore up his dictatorship. We must continue to stand with the people of Venezuela –- and with our allies –- to restore democracy and basic human rights.”
U.S. sanctions need not be permanent; they are intended to change behavior. The United States would consider lifting sanctions for persons sanctioned under E.O. 13692 that take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order refuse to take part in human rights abuses and speak out against abuses committed by the government, and combat corruption in Venezuela.
Today’s action shows that the United States will continue to take concrete and forceful action against those who are involved in the destruction of democracy in Venezuela as well as those who are enriching themselves at the expense of the Venezuelan people. The United States will continue to use the full weight of American economic and diplomatic power to help create the conditions for the restoration of democracy for the Venezuelan people.
“The United States is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuela’s tragic decline,” Mnuchin said. “PdVSA has long been a vehicle for embezzlement, for corruption for Venezuelan officials and businessmen. Today’s designation of PdVSA will help prevent further diversion of Venezuela’s assets by Maduro, and will preserve these assets for the people of Venezuela where they belong.”
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., applauded Friday’s sanctions in a tweeted statement. He said, in part, “These carefully calibrated sanctions send a strong signal to the Maduro regime while still allowing for much needed humanitarian assistance”
In the meantime the Russians are Suring up the Venezuelan Military against their own people, they are no longer in charge foreigners are … but they will not go to war with the US neither will China at this time!
Meanwhile the Commies still at it on BU because ONE OF THEIR OWN GOING DOWN!! If you think Russia or China is going to war you lie or fooling yourself, so the Communist on BU are Mourning and are Lamenting.
Still waiting to hear what is the Barbados and CARICOM positions on Venezuela.
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pieceuhderockyeahright
One day, when all people worship God in spirit and in truth, you will start to “see” the upheavals and the enforced wars that are being planned to prop up the turncoat president of these mighty United States of America
I have “seen” the soldiers and the limited scope war to follow.
But that is really not the real issue here.
Suppose de ole man were to mention the use of Barbados by *** ?
Ostensibly such is for the *** BUT UNFORTUNATELY MUGABE WILL USE IT FOR ***
But wunna sheeple can sleep a little longer while the people among you keep quiet as you fall deeper into the hold of the despot Mugabe
ALL HAIL MUGABE!!!
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yatinkiteasy
Caricom members
are very much divided on their individual positions on Venezuela. Most are fence sitting.
Trump wants the wall.. Commander in Chief.
Deep State wants oil…
Tentacles embedded
Options on the table
F15 (deadline).. remember Syria
Gaddafi gold back Dinar.. deleted..
Maduro PETRO Cryptocurrency, ..pending,
DS failure eminent.
Brics Nations key.. protected
Bitcoin restructuring Venezuela economy.
Elections?
Next, Argentina… futile.
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Hal Austin
What is the Barbados/CARICOM position on the legitimacy of the Venezuelan president? Or are we waiting for the Barbados president to lead the peace-making delegation to Uruguay?
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SirSimpleSimonPresidentForLife
Maduro’s election may have been iffiy, like Trump’s was iffy. But the boy Guido’s selection is even more iffy.
Even the media is confused. I have heard him called “self declared President” “President in waiting” “leader of the opposition” “Interim President” “interim leader” “legitimate leader”
I’ve even heard Maduro’s government called “regime”
When does a government become a regime?
Is Trump’s government a “regime” too? since there is the “little” matter of Hillary getting 3 million more of the people’s votes that he did, in spite of the suspicion that some Russians may have been more than a little helpful.
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Hal Austin
Where does CARICOM and Barbados stand in regards to Venezuela now that we know the Guaido mob is targeting African Venezuelans?
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Hal Austin
What has Barbados/CARICOM to say about events in Venezuela?
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Hal Austin
A few days ago I raised the issue of the US/China trade war and its likely impact on CARICOM and called for a discussion on BU, some wise guy, writing anonymously, said I lead the discussion or shut up.
That aside, the urgency has now moved on with some underling at the State Department more or less threatening sovereign Caribbean nations that they must decided whose they are on – China or the US. Not a single word in our press or in parliament.
The State Department official pointed out that per capita, China had more invested in Latin America and the Caribbean than any other region.
Let’s talk.
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Hal Austin
A prominent champion of regional integration has waded into the debate over the Caribbean Community’s position on the political unrest in Venezuela, with a warning to regional leaders that “fragmentation is suicidal”.
Jamaican former prime minister PJ Patterson said the Caribbean is in danger of “reverting to a time we thought we had passed long ago to the days of subservience. And being subject to the dictates of others based on their interest”.
He was delivering a speech last night at the launch of his book, My Political Journey: Jamaica’s Sixth Prime Minister.
Opposition forces in Caracas, backed by United States and some Latin American countries, support President Nicolas Maduro’s removal from office after he was sworn in for a second consecutive term earlier this year.
Political unrest escalated into a humanitarian crisis, with thousands fleeing the country.
In February, CARICOM reiterated its position of non-interference in Venezuela’s affairs at the community’s inter-sessional summit in St Kitts.
The leaders said at the time that they were prepared to mediate to bring a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
But St. Lucia, Bahamas, Haiti and Jamaica, subsequently broke ranks with their regional colleagues and supported the so-called Lima Group that is seeking Maduro’s removal.
Patterson recalled the 1972 decision by then leaders Errol Barrow, Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana’s Forbes Burnham, and Jamaica’s Michael Manley, to exercise their right as equal sovereign states to enter into relationships with other countries of their choosing, “to promote regional solidarity and achieve meaningful and comprehensive economic cooperation among all”.
Patterson said: “That is the basis on which we tore down the hemispheric barriers against Cuba and the embargo that was imposed. Guyana and Jamaica led the way to recognise China instead of Taiwan before the USA came to its senses and followed.
“In all we seek to do, I regard the pursuit of a common foreign policy as fundamental. It wasn’t put in the Chaguaramas Treaty by accident. It was because we recognized this as vital for us as small states of limited means and might.”
Patterson stressed that is the only way to preserve region’s sovereignty and collective strength.
“We expect all our 14 leaders to act in accordance with that decision, and not to veer off in support who have a contrary view whether in the halls of the OAS or the corridors at Mar-a-Lago,” he said, referring to a recent meeting between US president Donald Trump and the four leaders.
He continued: “The Caribbean, we at the OAS are 14 nations strong. We have the voting power.
“Once we assert it as a single bloc to protect and safeguard our sovereign control, the Caribbean will prevail.
“We live in our own Caribbean space not in anybody else’s backyard.”
Patterson told his audience that a unity is critical to the Caribbean’s success in confronting its many challenges.
“My experience has left me in no doubt, and more so as we seek to confront historic problems and complex issues, the deepening and widening of regional economic integration is an inescapable imperative for the Caribbean people.
“We have to assert a united voice as sovereign nations singing from the same hymn sheet if we are to make our voices heard in the global din.”
He also pointed to the need for new insights to tackle some of the dominant issues of the day.
“For us, Climate Change is almost like what it is to the pig in a bacon and egg breakfast. We have to be looking at the knowledge economy. We have to be looking at the creative industries where we excel.
“We have to provide lasting security by leading the fight against guns [and] narcotics as we build a zone of peace in the Caribbean,” Patterson said. (Quote)
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Hal Austin
The Venezuelan opposition said on Sunday it would take part in talks in Barbados with the government of president Nicolás Maduro in an attempt to find a way out of the political deadlock that has gripped the nation for months.
In a statement, it also said it would meet Enrique Iglesias, the European Union’s special adviser for Venezuela, for talks in Caracas. It did not give dates for either event but Mr Iglesias is expected in Venezuela this week.
Venezuela’s opposition, led by the head of Congress Juan Guaidó, has been trying to oust Mr Maduro since the start of this year, saying the president won power through bogus elections in 2018 and is an illegitimate leader.
But Mr Maduro has resisted all efforts to remove him and the opposition has been forced to back down. It has taken part in two rounds of negotiations in Oslo brokered by the Norwegian government.
The talks in Barbados are part of the same process. While accepting the invitation to talk, Mr Guaidó insisted: “We do not have unlimited time. Every day that passes the situation worsens.”
He added that the opposition had an “enormous and historical responsibility” to seek ways out of the crisis. He called on Mr Maduro’s opponents to unite behind him. Some hardline members of Venezuela’s opposition have opposed the Norwegian-led talks, saying they are a waste of time and simply allow Mr Maduro to prolong his grip on the presidency.
The talks come amid a profound economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The economy has halved in size since Mr Maduro took office in 2013, inflation is rife and an estimated 4m people have fled due to a lack of food, work and medicine.
The United Nations accused the Maduro government last week of human rights abuses including “arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment, sexual violence, killings and enforced disappearance”.(Quote)
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Hal Austin
Four million people have fled Venezuela, as the country continues to face economic and political crisis.
40,000 have gone to the small Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, just seven miles off the coast.
But life isn’t easy for those who arrive, and some locals have made it clear they’re not welcome (Quote)
What has become of CARICOM’s position on Venezuela??
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.