ACROSS THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) we treasure certain democratic principles. The choice to freely elect a government and the right to speak out against a political administration are highly held ideals. Freedom of the press and the right to have differing views are amongst the rights we cherish.
That is why when rhetoric moves from being mere passionate rhetoric to something more dangerous, we must become concerned. Such is the case in our Spanish-speaking neighbour, Venezuela.
We in Barbados and CARICOM have long had very close relations with Venezuela and therefore what happens there must be of concern to all of us.
Given the nature of the developments we should not be afraid to speak out in the belief that we are getting involved in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. For some CARICOM members it may be challenging to speak frankly, given the help Venezuela offers them through the Petro-Caribe oil deal as well as the financial help it has extended. But these are not good reasons to be muzzled.
The populist governments ruling Venezuela in recent years – first that of the late social president Hugo Chavez and now his successor Nicolas Maduro – have been on a campaign to bring about social justice and equality to that nation’s large base of very poor people. But in the process they have infringed too many rights. Correcting one wrong does not mean inflicting new injustices.
Venezuela has become a very polarised society and, despite its oil wealth, there is clear evidence of desperate economic hardships. Unfortunately, the said poor and dispossessed the revolutionary measures are supposed to help, have in many ways become the hardest hit.
Life has been made unbearable. There is a shortage of medicines, hospitals are ill-equipped, and an unavailability of basic foodstuffs with people foraging in garbage bins all paint an unsettling picture of this once hemispheric diplomatic
and military powerhouse.
The United Nations recently announced that Venezuela had lost its right to vote in the General Assembly for a second consecutive year because of the outstanding dues it owes. The Organisation of American States, deeply concerned about developments in the South American nation, has considered its expulsion from the hemispheric body. These actions could isolate our neighbour and make a bad situation worse.
There must be reasoned and rational thinking in Caracas. There must be meaningful dialogue between the Government and its opponents. Political prisoners must be freed, fair and free elections held, the staggering murder rate and its hyper-inflation must be brought under control. The 30 million people of Venezuela must have a true say in their future.
CARICOM must not sit on the fence in this issue. Even beyond supporting any actions through the OAS, regional governments must let Venezuela know their feelings on what can be only described as unacceptable autocratic behaviour being displayed by its ruling political elite. Venezuela becoming a dysfunctional nation should be a grave concern to CARICOM. Remaining silent is unacceptable.
Â
