Representatives of the Lima Group stressed that the situation in Venezuela represents a threat not only to regional, but also to global security and mentioned the unprecedented scale of the Venezuelan migration crisis and the critical humanitarian situation in the country.

Minister Czaputowicz asserted that Poland has been closely following with concern the Venezuelan crisis as it unfolded and its repercussions in Latin America. He drew attention to the geopolitical context of the crisis and mentioned Poland’s and Peru’s activities on the UN Security Council. In July Peru holds the rotating chair of the UN Security Council which Poland will take over in August.

Minister Jacek Czaputowicz has reaffirmed Poland’s support for measures taken by the International Contact Group, established on the EU’s initiative, as well as for the Lima Group’s efforts to improve the situation and to resolve the political crisis by ensuring the organisation of free, fair and democratic presidential elections in Venezuela. “Poland has been actively participating in discussions concerning Venezuela in the EU,” Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said. “I hope that the talks between the two sides of the conflict held under the auspices of the Norwegian government will yield results,” he added.

Minister Czaputowicz also mentioned the joint statement by EU Member States of 16 July 2019 concerning inter alia UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report on Venezuela which confirmed the scale of human rights violations in this country. He also reaffirmed Poland’s support for the international community’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the Venezuelan people.

Representatives of the Lima Group have extended an invitation to Minister Jacek Czaputowicz to take part in an international conference that will be held in Lima on 6 August this year. Representatives of 102 countries from all over the world have been invited to this event that will be inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Peru Martín Vizcarra. The conference is organised to reaffirm and strengthen the international community’s engagement to peacefully resolve the crisis and to help the Venezuelan people.

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The Lima Group is the main forum for dialogue and coordination of efforts by countries in the region towards Venezuela. It was set up on Peru’s initiative in August 2017 soon after the widely contested internationally Venezuelan Constituent Assembly election. The Group includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Saint Lucia.

MFA Press Office

23.07.2019

Photo Tymon Markowski / MFA