BASSETERRE, St. Kitts— FOLLOWING the issuance of arrest warrants for several Venezuelan opposition members, the Organization of American States (OAS) Secretariat has joined numerous agencies and world leaders in condemning the action.
Since the July 28 general elections, tensions have escalated between the opposition and the government over the results. The Venezuelan election commission declared incumbent President Nicolás Maduro the victor with 52 percent, much to the opposition's dismay. Supporters of opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia have published results indicating his victory.
However, government agencies and the courts have reaffirmed Maduro's win, subsequently issuing arrest warrants for opposition leaders.
The OAS General Secretariat strongly condemned the arrest warrant issued against González, stating: “Political persecution, this time in the form of an arrest warrant for the opposition candidate who appears to have won the last elections according to the only documentary information available more than a month after the elections, constitutes one more crime in the permanent and continuous legal logic of systematic violation of human rights in the country,"
The OAS further criticized Venezuela's judiciary, accusing it of serving as a tool for repression rather than justice: “judiciary in Venezuela perpetrates acts that point to it as a fundamental instrument in the execution of crimes against humanity in the country. It is not a judiciary that administers justice, but rather repression and violation of fundamental freedoms, and that establishes itself as the main agent of impunity for human rights violations”
Canada's Global Affairs department also expressed concern, urging Venezuelan authorities to end repressive actions that stifle democratic voices and create a climate of fear.
In response, the United States has increased pressure on Maduro, seizing his private aircraft in a move to enforce U.S. sanctions. U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated: “The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls, preventing them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.”
Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod added, “Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset.”
Venezuela is a close ally of St. Kitts and Nevis. Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas called for a resolution through democratic processes, following a query from SKNVibes News on the Federation’s stance regarding the election dispute. This marked the Federation’s first official comment on the situation.
Dr. Douglas noted that the matter is being addressed diplomatically at the highest levels, involving both the OAS and CARICOM.
“The OECS is also engaged, and various positions have been put forward, though not all have gained international or hemispheric support,” he said.
While calling for calm in Venezuela, Dr. Douglas emphasized the strong ties between Venezuela and St. Kitts and Nevis, expressing hope that any intervention will lead to a consolidation of the democratic process and the betterment of the Venezuelan people.
