Primer ministro pide la renuncia del secretario de la OEA por “promover la intervención” en Venezuela
El primer ministro de Trinidad y Tobago, Keith Rowley, pidió la salida del secretario general de la Organización de Estados Americanos, Luis Almagro, por su posición parcializada respecto a Venezuela, informó hoy el diario The Guardian.
Rowley ratificó la fuerte objeción de su país al comportamiento de Almagro por ‘promover la intervención en los asuntos internos de la nación sudamericana’ y cuestionar ‘de forma despectiva’ la gestión del presidente Nicolás Maduro.
A su llegada a Trinidad y Tobago tras efectuar una visita oficial a Chile, el jefe de Gobierno afirmó que el comportamiento del secretario general comprometió la integridad de la OEA, la cual ‘no puede mediar ahora de forma significativa en la situación venezolana’, opinó.
Precisó que el liderazgo del bloque continental necesita cambiar para que la institución pueda tener el potencial de ser un intermediario honesto y proporcionar un camino para la paz y el progreso.
La reunión de cancilleres de la Organización de Estados Americanos para tratar la situación de Venezuela fue suspendida la víspera en Washington, a solicitud de los países de la Comunidad del Caribe, por la falta de consenso entre las 34 delegaciones presentes en la asamblea.
OAS head must step down, says Rowley
PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley revealed that during his official visit to Chile he called for the removal of Luis Almagro as secretary general of the Organisation of American States (OAS), over Almagro’s engagement of Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, in a “derogatory” manner.
Almagro in March accused Maduro’s government of carrying out a “self-coup” after that country’s Supreme Court took over the functions of the opposition-led Congress.
Speaking at a press conference at Piarco International Airport on Wednesday on his return from a three-day visit to Chile, Rowley said the Trinidad and Tobago Government registered it “strong objection” to the actions of the OAS with regard to Venezuela in discussions with Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet,
Rowley said Almagro must step down if the OAS is to reclaim its reputation, which has been com-promised.
“TT made its position clear to Chile as a leader in South America, that it is our view as a long-standing member of the OAS, that the leadership of the OAS at this point in time, needs to change,” he said.
The PM said T&T does not interfere in the affairs of its neighbours and will not be encouraged to do so now.
He said it is now the position of this government that the OAS has been compromised and cannot play a significant role in treating with Venezuela’s present difficulties.
Rowley said he has stated to Bachelet that, “The OAS has now removed itself from any meaningful par-ticipation and has deteriorated now into partisan attacks and it’s threatening to have the same effect on Caricom.”
He also remarked on Caricom’s role in the issue, saying, “If we are not careful Caricom too could destroy itself as an honest broker with respect to any involvement in assistance in Venezuela and their internal problems.”
He added:“If Caricom wants to be taken seriously and to speak with a louder voice, then matters of this nature should be Caricom initiatives rather than individual countries going off and taking individual positions, sometimes influenced by interests that may not be our interests.”
Asked if T&T will form now on abstain from OAS votes, Rowley said, “Yes, we are not supporting the initiatives that are not in our view, helpful in treating with the difficulties in front of us.” Regarding the lack of a unified Caricom stance on this issue, Rowley had another warning for his fellow Caricom leaders.
