‘Lapdogs of imperialism’

THE VENEZUELAN Foreign Minister, Delcy Rodriguez, called countries that supported the US in its Venezuelan resolution “lapdogs of imperialism”.

Though it would appear that Jamaica voted in favour of the resolution, there has been no word from Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. A ministry official yesterday acknowledged

Gleaner questions, but up to press time, did not provide a promised response. Jamaica supported a “valid and legal” OAS resolution on Venezuela in May, which Johnson Smith then told the Senate “should not be considered a vote against Venezuela”.

Though affirming Jamaica’s non-interference policy, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has received commendation for insisting that the OAS is the appropriate forum for talks on the Venezuelan issue. His Antiguan and Vincentian counterparts have taken a stronger stance against OAS talks, claiming that some CARICOM countries are being drawn by more powerful states into supporting regime change.

An official from Holness’s office directed queries on the OAS Monday vote to the foreign ministry.

The splintered voting of the CARICOM states – many of whom benefit from favourable Venezuela oil loans – comes as leaders gear up for their annual meeting set for Grenada from July 4-6.