CARICOM, Mexico and Uruguay propose four-phased 'Montevideo Mechanism' to resolve Venezuela crisis

The Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) – Dr the Honourable Timothy Harris, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis – describes the international conference taking place tomorrow, Thursday, February 7th, in Montevideo, Uruguay as an effort by the participating countries to resolve the dire situation in Venezuela.

Out of both concern over the escalating situation and recognition that the Venezuelan parties have to come to the negotiating table, CARICOM, Mexico and Uruguay will formally propose and discuss at the conference the establishment of a four-phased process called the Montevideo Mechanism.

The proposed Montevideo Mechanism calls for the following phases:

Dialogue Phase: Creating conditions for direct contacts among the actors involved, in an environment of security.

Negotiation Phase: Strategic presentation of the results of the previous phase to the counterparts, seeking to find common ground and areas of opportunity to allow the relaxation of positions and identify potential agreements.

Commitments Phase: Construction and subscription of agreements based on the results of the negotiation phase, with the characteristics and timeframe, previously agreed upon.

Implementation Phase: Materialization of the commitments assumed in the previous phase, with the international accompaniment.

In a statement dated February 6th, 2019, CARICOM, Mexico and Uruguay said, "The historical stance of our countries is and will always be to privilege diplomacy over other alternatives, as it is the only way to achieve sustainable, legitimate and effective peace and stability."

The statement goes on to say: "Therefore, we propose the Montevideo Mechanism, based on our legitimate interest and willingness to assist the Venezuelan people and the actors involved find a solution to their differences. This initiative is offered to the Venezuelan actors as peaceful and democratic alternative that privileges dialogue and peace, with the aim to create all necessary conditions for an inclusive, comprehensive and lasting solution."