Jamaica proposes early CARICOM meeting to discuss Venezuela crisis

Jamaica is proposing an early meeting of CARICOM Heads to discuss the current crisis in Venezuela and to arrive at a uniformed position on the matter.
  
The proposal is contained in a letter from Prime Minister Andrew Holness to Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
   
Mr. Holness was responding to a May 10 letter from Dr. Gonsalves.
  
The Vincentian leader had complained last week that CARICOM was allowing a small group of powerful nations within the OAS to divide regional states in a bid to overthrow the Venezuelan government.
  
Mr. Holness told Dr. Gonsalves that CARICOM must remain engaged through the OAS and the regional grouping must maintain a unified position.
  
According to the Jamaican prime minister, Venezuela is already in favour of CARICOM being a mediator.
    
Mr. Holness said it is regrettable that Venezuela has decided to withdraw from the OAS.     
  
CARICOM Foreign Ministers who met in Barbados on Thursday declared support for the Venezuelan government.
  
Venezuela has been hit by violent protests since early April, that have left at least 34 people dead and hundreds injured, as the opposition ramps up pressure on President Maduro to call overdue elections.