Non-Aligned Movement Calls on U.S. to Desist from Irresponsible Conduct in the Caribbean Sea

The Foreign Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), meeting in Kampala, Uganda, for their 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Conference, issued a special declaration expressing their concern about the situation in the Caribbean region and the threats against Venezuela by the United States.

The ministers lamented that the situation "has only worsened" since the statement issued by the Coordination Bureau in September, pointing to the "deployment of additional extra-regional military forces and resources" as a consequence, coupled with new "hostile actions, intimidating threats, and even more aggressive rhetoric."

Additionally, they called for maximum restraint and for external powers to "desist from their irresponsible conduct."

The ministers warned that a further deterioration of the situation, or a direct armed attack against Venezuela, would risk generating a spillover effect across all of Latin America and the Caribbean, undermining its status as a Zone of Peace, declared in 2014 by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

The diplomats of the movement, which brings together 120 countries, took note of the recent debate at the United Nations Security Council and reiterated the need to adhere strictly to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, highlighting dialogue and diplomacy as the appropriate means.

Finally, the ministers reaffirmed their determination to defend sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. They expressed their solidarity with the People and Government of Venezuela so that they may adopt "all measures they deem appropriate, within the framework of international law, to guarantee the defense of their nation against any act of external aggression."

The 19th Mid-Term Summit of NAM Foreign Ministers, which will extend until Thursday, October 16, "represents our continued commitment to the Global South, the strengthening of multilateralism, and the promotion of international justice," emphasized the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Yván Gil, on his social media.