HAVANA, Cuba (Xinhua) — Cuban President Raul Castro yesterday slammed the secretary general of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, for his recent statements on Venezuela and said the island “would never” return to that organisation.

“The OAS, since its foundation, was, is, and will be an instrument of imperialist domination, and no reform will change its nature and history. That is why Cuba will never return to the OAS,” vowed Castro at the opening of the VII Summit of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in Havana.

Castro criticised the position taken two weeks ago by Almagro on Venezuela, which saw him call for the organisation to invoke its Inter-American Democratic Charter, leading to the potential suspension of Venezuela from the bloc for alleged “human rights violations and lack of democracy”.

“It is of deep concern that there is an unacceptable attempt to apply the Inter-American Democratic Charter of the OAS to intervene in the internal affairs of Venezuela,” said the Cuban leader.

He also reiterated Havana’s support for President Nicolas Maduro’s Administration and said Caracas faces an “imperialist offensive” to topple its socialist Government.

“We firmly oppose the destabilisation agenda and economic war faced by Maduro’s Government and support the revolution that has brought social changes to the Venezuelan people,” he added.

ACS foreign ministers discussed several issues of importance on Friday, including the political situation in Venezuela, which led to a common declaration of support for Maduro’s Government that was expetced to be evaluated by Caribbean leaders yesterday.

Castro also condemned the role of the OAS for suspending Havana in 1962 due to US pressure.

The Seventh Summit of the ACS is being held at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana and is being attended by 19 presidents or prime ministers of the 25 member states.

The members are expected to approve the Havana declaration, which touches on political issues such as the US blockade on Cuba and the Venezuelan crisis, as well as a joint action plan for the next two years which seeks to increase economic and commercial co-operation within the bloc.

The Association of Caribbean States was created in July 1994 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, with the aim of promoting consultation, co-operation and concerted action among Caribbean countries.