During the sixth meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) – Cuba in George, Guyana on Friday, Rodriguez said the meeting took place at a moment when peace in our region was being jeopardised.

He said the region had the duty to reaffirm its commitment with Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, as was stated in the Proclamation approved by the Heads of State and Government at the Second Summit of the CELAC held in Havana in 2014.

Rodriguez said only in a climate of mutual respect and confidence would the region prosper.

“Only integration shall lead us down to that path.

Peace admits no ambiguities. It cannot be said that all options are on the table, when one of them, the one that is most needed, has been rejected; and that is dialogue,” he said, in reference US President Donald Trump’s threat against Venezuela.

“We welcome CARICOM’s decision, in view of the threat of use of force and foreign interference, to ratify its stand and defend the validity of the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and International Law.”

Rodriguez noted that meeting had gathered at a moment when attempts were made to reestablish the implementation of the Monroe Doctrine, “which is opposite to the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.”

“I would like to reiterate to you our gratitude for your firmness in denouncing the US government’s authorisation to activate Title III of the Helms-Burton Act so that lawsuits can be filed at the courts of that country against Cuban or foreign entities that legally engage in commercial business or investments in properties that were once nationalized in Cuba in full adherence to national and international laws, as was recognized by the US Supreme Court ruling on the Sabbatino case,” Rodriguez said.

He said the Helms-Burton Act was arbitrary and was also an outrage and an insult against the sovereignty of Cuba and of third States.

“There is an attempt to suffocate the Cuban economy and place our people on their knees through scarcities and hardships, but I can assure you that such an attempt will fail,” Rodriguez said.

“We recognise your resolute and irrevocable decision to join us in rejecting the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against our country and the fair claim to put an end to it.”

He said the brotherhood and friendship between Cuba and the CARICOM were indestructible.