The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Tuesday expressed ‘deep concern’ regarding it described as ‘recent reports of intensified military operations by external powers in the southern Caribbean Sea’.
The sub-regional grouping of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Kitts and Nevis , said they were also concerned over reports of the ‘destruction of vessels alleged to be involved in narcotics trafficking without interception or verification in contravention of international law.
‘While our governments remain firmly committed to regional and international cooperation in the fight against transnational crime, including drug trafficking, we are equally committed to the preservation of the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace – a principle solemnly affirmed by the Heads of Government of our region and supported by the United Nations General Assembly’
The OECS countries said that they are ‘therefore concerned that heightened military activities in and around the Southern Caribbean risk escalating tensions and misunderstandings in a region whose stability and security are essential to the well-being of our peoples.
‘Actions undertaken without adequate consultation or communication with regional partners risk creating misunderstandings and tensions and may inadvertently embroil the entire Caribbean in a wider confrontation, undermining decades of careful diplomacy and peaceful coexistence.
‘We are deeply concerned about the indisputable impact of any potential military action on our small, vulnerable societies and economies and the erosion of the hard-won gains over the past decades,’ the OECS countries said.
In recent weeks, the Donald Trump administration has been building up a military presence off the coast of Venezuela allegedly as part of its fight against the illegal shipment of drugs to the United States. Washington has confirmed that it has bombed several vessels, killing all but two people, in recent times as it puts its policy into action.
But Caracas says the action is part of the plan to oust President Nicolas Maduro from office.
The United Nations UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also strongly condemned airstrikes carried out by the United States against alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Volker Trk said in a statement that the strikes ‘violate international human rights law’, demanding that they be stopped immediately.
Among those reportedly killed are two Trinidad and Tobago nationals, but Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has reiterated her full support for President Donald Trump’s move to violently kill drug traffickers.
In their statement, the OECS countries said they were reaffirming that ‘peace and dialogue must remain the cornerstone of regional and hemispheric relations’ as well as ‘respect for sovereignty and non-interference are essential to maintaining trust and stability.’
They are also insisting that ‘collective security and cooperation are the most effective means of combating organised crime and ensuring the safety of our maritime space.
‘We therefore urge all partners to engage in open consultation with the Caribbean Community and the OECS before any initiative that could alter the regional security balance. The Caribbean’s greatest strength has always been its unity, its diplomacy, and its steadfast commitment to resolving differences through peaceful means,’ the OECS countries added.