KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party(PNP) says it is in support of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) initiative on the current crisis in Venezuela.

According to Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Lisa Hanna, the meeting of the regional leaders yesterday gives hope, as they reaffirmed established principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, the protection of human rights, and the rule of law.

Hanna said that as small-island developing states “we must act together to protect the peace in our region”.

“We must assist our brother and sister nations to resolve their conflicts through peaceful approaches. Regardless of where we live geographically, we all share this global space and are connected; our humanity calls upon us to extol compassion when seeking to understand the differences that may divide us,” said Hanna.

The PNP shadow minister added that the decision taken by CARICOM yesterday carries the prospects of a peaceful resolution of the situation in Venezuela and that the party would like to urge speedy action by the United Nations in response to the CARICOM request.

The 15-member CARICOM grouping yesterday “reaffirmed their guiding principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of states, respect for sovereignty, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for human rights and democracy.

“Heads of Government reiterated that the long-standing political crisis, which has been exacerbated by recent events, can only be resolved peacefully through meaningful dialogue and diplomacy,” the CARICOM statement said, noting that they have “offered their good offices to facilitate dialogue among all parties to resolve the deepening crisis”.

They said that in reaffirming their commitment to the tenets of Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter which calls for member states “to refrain from the threat or the use of force” and Article 21 of the Charter of the Organisation of American States which refers to territorial inviolability, the regional leaders emphasised the importance of the Caribbean remaining a zone of peace.