“This action is considered inappropriate”

Caricom criticizes OAS secretary general:

The heads of states of the member states of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) recently sent a letter to the secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS) for his unilateral position in the Venezuelan crisis. Luis Almargo Lemes failed to consult the OAS member states before publicly recognizing Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela, thereby creating the impression that all member states are on the same page. Many Caricom member states disapprove of the policy of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. He allegedly secured his presidency for an additional 6 years in an undemocratic manner. Nearly all of the OAS member states agree on this. They do not, however, approve of the fact that Guaidó proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela. The OAS member states made it clear that this is not the official position of the OAS. The entire world, however, is talking about the OAS’ recognition of Guaidó because of the statements that Almargo made without discussing it with the Caricom first. Timothy Harris, prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis, on behalf of the Caricom sent a letter to Almargo, asking him to “publicly clarify his unilateral position on the present ongoing political imbroglio in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.” “This action on your part, without the authority of the Member States of the Organization of American States (OAS) is considered inappropriate.” Suriname also co-signed the letter that was sent to the OAS secretary general on January 31. “The Heads of Government consider it imperative that you publicly clarify that you did not speak on behalf of all member states. We are aware this is not the only occasion on which you have made public utterances in the name of the (OAS) without authority. This type of unilateral action by a head of an international organization, whose membership comprises sovereign states, is a clear departure from normal practice and cause for great concern,” the Caricom chairman said.