FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JANUARY 30 TH 2019
NDP STATEMENT ON THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines: As the socio-economic and political situation in the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela becomes increasingly precarious our concern for the safety, security
and general well-being of the people of that regional sister country occupies our greatest consideration at
this critical time. We urge the protagonists in the country, in particular, as well as all external parties, to
be guided by that primordial humanitarian principle. The citizens of that country, like all other people,
deserve to live in peace and security, in their own homeland, in order to build a healthy, prosperous and
felicitous existence, utilizing their human and natural resources, for the benefit of all.
We in the New Democratic Party (NDP), the oldest active political party in St. Vincent and the
Grenadines (SVG), in accordance with our constitution, have actively worked to forge lasting relations
with the governments and people of Latin America, even before the attainment of political independence
in 1979. Indeed, we have moved in the footsteps of our forebears, who, since the mid-19 th century, have
traversed the region and beyond in search of opportunities for economic advancement. In government we
have consolidated and extended interstate relations, firmly based on mutual respect and non-interference
in domestic affairs. At the sub-regional, regional, hemispheric and wider international levels, through our
membership in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, CARICOM, the Association of Caribbean
States, the Organization of American States and the United Nations, our party is a consistent voice for our
guiding principles of respect for, and promotion of, human rights, and self-determination of peoples
through representative democracy.
Our party, in parliamentary opposition since 2001, is fully aware of the less salubrious manifestations and
frustrations of democracy through abuse of government power over the people. Even now, some three
years after the last general election in SVG, in December 2015, the people are awaiting the decision of the
courts of law in relation to petitions filed in a situation where the government holds a narrow one (1) seat
majority for a second consecutive election. It is a clear case of justice delayed being justice denied.
The security of states is best served through principled multi-lateral co-operation among themselves,
regardless of size, individual wealth, or strength. For small and micro-states like SVG it is the only
option.
Fully cognizant of the challenges, stresses and strains to which even the most established democracies are
subject, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to the solidarity we share with other countries of the
region with the people of the Bolivarian republic. We recall, with deep appreciation, the long-standing bi-
lateral co-operation and mutual assistance between our countries and pray for a resolution of the current
crisis, in the best interests of the Venezuelan people.
END
Dr. the Hon. Godwin Friday, President
Mr. Tyrone James, General Secretary
Democrat House
P.O. Box 1300
Kingstown, St. Vincent
Tel: (784) 456 2114
Fax: (784) 4572647
Email: ndpinsvg@gmail.com
Website: http://www.ndpsvg.org
http://www.facebook.com/NewDemocratic/Party
For more information, please contact: Email: pro@ndpsvg.org
