‘Quiet diplomacy’ by Antigua and Barbuda secured release of Venezuela politician

Friday’s surprise release of Venezuela’s opposition leader Leopoldo López to house arrest by the country’s Supreme Court of Justice was brought about in part by quiet diplomacy by Antigua and Barbuda officials, Caribbean News Now is reporting.

López, 46, has been imprisoned since 2014 after giving a speech during demonstrations against the government – a decision that sparked international outrage.

In a statement released by the twin-island nation’s prime minister, the move was welcomed.

“I can reveal that, over the last few months, representatives of my government have engaged in quiet diplomacy with Venezuelan officials in promotion of confidence building measures, such as the release from jail of Mr López,” Gaston Browne said.

“I urge all parties to seize this good faith measure to engage in the dialogue that is required in the interest of the people of their country.

[caption id="attachment_1555" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Prime Minister Gaston Browne.[/caption]

“We believe in offering a helping hand to the parties and not in interference or intervention.”

WIC News understands that Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the Organisation of American States, Sir Ronald Sanders, also spoke on the phone last month with Lilian Tintori, López’s wife.

The prime minister is quoted by Caribbean News Now as saying that the release should be regarded as a confidence building measure between the government and opposition political parties in Venezuela.

This, he adds, will hopefully help to reinvigorate a dialogue between them that leads to a Venezuelan solution to the political impasse and economic and social difficulties facing the country.

During the CARICOM summit last week, member states agreed to play a mediating role in the unrest that is currently engulfing the South American country.