CARICOM and O.A.S. Secretary General Buck Heads over President Maduro’s Legitimacy

Members of CARICOM have called on Luis Almagro, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, to publicly clarify that he does not speak on behalf of all the member states of the O.A.S.  This is in relation to the political instability and crisis in Venezuela. Almagro has taken to social media to denounce President Nicolas Madura and his administration and support the self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaido. In a letter dated January thirty-first, CARICOM expresses disapproval and grave concern with regards to the position that he, as Secretary-General, has adopted, by recognizing Guaido’s presidency. The letter reads: “this action on your part, without the authority of the Member States of the Organization of American States, is considered inappropriate.” CARICOM also tells Almagro that they are aware that this is not the only occasion that he has made unauthorized utterances. CARICOM de­scribes Almagro’s ac­tions as a “clear de­par­ture from normal prac­tice and cause for great concern.” The O.A.S. web­site lists me­dia and press re­leas­es for the month of Jan­u­ary and there is noth­ing about the O.A.S.’s sup­port for Guai­do.  However, Almagro has taken to Twitter to express his support for Guaido. Countries such as Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Panama have also expressed support for Guaido.