PNP urges Caricom to help restore Caribbean as zone of peace

KINGSTON – The main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is calling on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to ensure the restoration of the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, following last Saturday’s military invasion of Venezuela by the United States and the seizure of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on drug related charges.

The PNP is also  calling on the Jamaica government to “stand up for and unequivocally support” the “well-established principles which have long guided Jamaica’s stance and reputation in international affairs”.

In its statement, the PNP said that in keeping with the Charter of the United Nations as the source of world peace and stability, it wanted to reassert its “commitment to a system of rule-based governance of international relations, in which the use of force is kept strictly within the limits permitted by international law.

“We uphold each nation’s right to self-determination, and to autonomy over its natural resources, even as we encourage adherence to democratic norms and the protection of human rights.

“We recognise that the use of force to effect regime change or to secure other political or economic interests in the Caribbean threatens our region’s peace and security, and risks broader conflict and the further descent into a more dangerous and insecure world, to the common detriment of mankind.”

The PNP said that it is also reasserting that smaller nations “must of necessity rely on and stand by the rule of international law to protect our independence, sovereignty and legitimate interests, and must join in collective solidarity to preserve our common interests by steadfastly upholding these principles.

“The PNP affirms that this moment requires CARICOM to similarly reassert its commitment to these principles and to the restoration of the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, recognising that these principles have been the firm foundation on which our regional organisation has operated for many years, to our mutual benefit and in furtherance of our mutual interests,” it said.

Last weekend, the United States military invaded Venezuela and seized President Nicolas Maduro on allegations of being involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Maduro and his wife, appeared in a Federal Court in New York on Monday, where they both pleaded not guilty to the charges. The matter has been adjourned March 17 this year.

The 25 page indictment accuses Maduro and others of working with drug cartels to facilitate the shipment of thousands of tons of cocaine into the US. They could face life in prison if convicted.

Both the United Nations Security Council and the Organization of American States (OAS) met this week against a sharply altered diplomatic backdrop, with member countries split over whether Washington’s move upholds accountability or undermines a foundational principle of international order. (CMC)

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