Belizean Ambassador to O.A.S.: “The failure of the government of Venezuela is unquestionable”
Daniel Gutierrez
The situation continues to deteriorate in Venezuela where Opposition Leader Juan Guaido claims he is the interim president and has the support of the U.S., Canada and other countries. On January tenth, when Nicolas Maduro started a new term as president, Belize abstained from voting on a resolution by the Organization of American States to recognize the legitimacy of his presidency. On Thursday, at a special meeting of the O.A.S., Belize’s Ambassador Daniel Gutierrez said, “the failure of the government of Venezuela is unquestionable.” Venezuela is plunging further into political and economic crisis tonight amid growing protest by hundreds of thousands citizens over Maduro’s presidency. Following the U.S. support for Guaido, Maduro broke off diplomatic ties with the United States and gave its diplomats seventy-two hours to get out of his country. Some of the diplomats have packed up and left. Now, as we reported on Thursday, Belize is keeping a close eye on the crisis in Venezuela. In addressing the O.A.S., Ambassador Gutierrez not only said that the government had failed, but added that life has changed for the worst for many Venezuelans. It was strong language from Belize that has traditionally been an ally of Venezuela.
Daniel Gutierrez, Belize Ambassador to the O.A.S
“Mr. Chairman and colleagues the crisis in Venezuela has now metastasized into a crisis in this house of the Americans. Let me exceedingly clear, we are concerned with what is happening in Venezuela. As we speak long lines of Venezuelans skew for basic supplies. We have all witnessed the mass exodus complete with suffering and indignity that exigent human migration entails. Under any definition of good governance there is something a mist the way that life has change for the worse for many Venezuelans. It is the ultimately the responsible of the state to take care of its people. In this regard, the failure of the government of Venezuela is unquestionable. Belize has not been and is not now blind to this. Mr. Chairman Belize also recognizes that there is a role for the O.A.S. in this crisis. The O.A.S. cannot and should not be silent when events in a member state are so transformative that those new conditions imperil the basics of dignified life. Mr. Chairman, as there is a role so too are there parameters for that role. The engagement of the O.A.S. must be instructed by best practices, the Inter American Democratic Charter and international law. When member states within an organization used that organization as a vessel to serve narrow outcomes however well intentioned they so deceives for that organization’s eventual demise. Dialogue however tedious must never be abandoned. Additionally, if we will take with a member state when the Permanent Representative who we talk with and joins us at this table in Washington must be able to convey our sentiments to those who in line with international law and the O.A.S. charter reel real power back home. Colleagues, if we truly believe in dialogue, if we truly believe in diplomacy, if we truly want to talk to all parties then let us be guarded with where we steer this organization. I thank you Mr. Chairman.”
Four days ago, Ambassador of Venezuela to Belize, Gerardo Antonio Argote presented his letters of credence to Governor General Sir Colville Young. At the sub-regional level, CARICOM leaders call on external forces to refrain from doing anything to destabilize the situation and underscored the need to step back from the brink and called on all actors, internal and external, to avoid actions which would escalate an already explosive situation to the detriment of the people of Venezuela and which could have far-reaching negative consequences for the wider region. CARICOM says that the long-standing political crisis can only be resolved peacefully through meaningful dialogue and diplomacy. CARICOM would be seeking an urgent meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General to request the U.N.’s assistance in resolving the issue.
