Suriname steers clear from resolutions on Venezuela and Nicaragua

The Santokhi administration has decided to steer clear from taking a firm stance against the political processes that are happening in other countries. Suriname made this much clear last week during the voting of resolutions regarding the elections in Venezuela and Nicaragua. The two resolutions had been presented by the United States of America. The first resolution insists on holding free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible. in Venezuela. The resolution was approved with 21 votes in favor (Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, Uruguay, Venezuela); 4 against (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Nicaragua, St. Vincent and the Grenadines): and 9 abstentions (Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Mexico, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.) Suriname and Guyana both abstained from casting their vote on the issue. This attracted much attention especially given the fact that United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, had recently visited both countries in order to form an alliance against Venezuela. Both nations decided to remain neutral. The second resolution is an ultimatum to Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega. He is being urged to respect the democratic institutes and human rights by organizing free and fair general elections. The Organization of American States has given until Ortega until May 2021 to take the necessary steps for organizing free and fair elections in November 2021. Suriname and Guyana did not share the same stance regarding this resolution. Guyana voted in favor of the resolution while Suriname abstained from voting. The resolution was approved with 20 votes in favor (Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, Uruguay, Venezuela); 2 against (Nicaragua, St. Vincent and the Grenadines); and 12 abstentions (Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago,)