KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is expressing “serious concerns regarding the current political and economic situation faced by the Venezuelan people”, adding that it remains saddened by the loss of lives relating to the ongoing protests and destabilisation taking place in the South American country.

The PNP, in a release this afternoon, pledged their support of a non-intervention policy in Venezuela and agreed with CARICOM that an observer mission to the embattled country is an appropriate and immediate response.“We are confident that the issues in Venezuela can and ought to be resolved by the Venezuelan people and them alone,” the PNP stated.The Opposition added that the Government and people of Venezuela, for over 40 years, have been very supportive of the people of Jamaica, as demonstrated in the creation of the PetroCaribe arrangement.“We firmly lend our unwavering support to the preservation of a democratic process, and hope for a peaceful resolution to this crisis,” the PNP said.