Dominica is ready to mediate. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit made this offer. It addresses rising tensions between the US and Venezuela. The Caribbean must remain a zone of peace. Skerrit stated this at an end-of-year press conference. He emphasized regional security concerns. Military actions in Caribbean waters impact all nations. Therefore, Dominica urges dialogue and diplomacy.
Dominica believes it is well-positioned. It is a friend to both the US and Venezuela. The nation has served as an intermediary before. Skerrit hopes mediation will not be needed. He called on the US to use its diplomatic record. The US president has resolved many global conflicts. Skerrit urged him to draw on this strength. He stressed the hope that nothing happens. The region must avoid conflict. Any breakout would harm everyone. Stories of peace are better than war stories.
Recent US military actions have caused alarm. Since September 2025, the US has conducted strikes. These targeted alleged drug-trafficking boats. Operations occurred in the Caribbean and Pacific. The US calls this a war on illegal drugs. However, these actions have drawn strong criticism. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spoke out. Volker Türk said the strikes violate international law. He stated they must stop immediately. More than 80 people reportedly died. Many strikes occurred near Venezuela’s coast. These actions were called unacceptable. They find no justification in international law. The UN urged prompt, independent investigations. Human rights bodies also condemned the strikes. Legal experts called them unlawful extrajudicial killings. Allies like the UK stopped sharing intelligence. They felt complicit in illegal actions. These strikes are unprecedented. They mark a departure from past US force use.
The US defends its operations. They cite efforts to combat drug trafficking. The administration claims they fall under international law. However, the UN rejected this argument. Countering drugs is a law-enforcement matter. It requires careful limits on lethal force. The UN stressed that lethal force is a last resort. It is lawful only when lives face imminent threat. Public information on US strikes is sparse. Critics suggest few individuals posed such a threat. The US military buildup is significant. It includes many warships and assets. This deployment is the largest in decades. It is near Venezuela’s coast. This raises geopolitical concerns. Venezuela has mobilized its troops. It views the buildup as a threat. The US has imposed extensive sanctions on Venezuela. These target Maduro and his representatives. Sanctions cite corruption and mismanagement. US relations with Venezuela are strained. This history fuels regional unease.
CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, stresses peace. It urges dialogue and diplomacy. The community supports anti-narcotics efforts. However, it wants regional stability protected. CARICOM foreign ministers wrote to the US. They sought assurances on military actions. They want prior consultation and notice. This aims to avoid surprises. It helps maintain mutual confidence. The region must not descend into turmoil. Barbados and Dominica have offered mediation. They want to bring US and Venezuelan officials together. They believe in common sense and agreement. This collective approach is vital. It ensures regional integrity.
Within the broader community, views differ. Trinidad and Tobago’s stance is notable. Its prime minister suggested violent retribution for traffickers. CARICOM did not endorse this view. This highlights internal diversity. Dominica, however, maintains its peace focus. It cooperates with the US on security. The US provides vital assistance. This includes radar systems and infrastructure projects. Yet, Dominica also champions regional peace. It maintains that the Caribbean must be a zone of peace. Military actions here are ill-advised. Diplomacy offers better solutions. It resolves differences peacefully.
Dominica’s offer to mediate is significant. It comes amid heightened global tensions. The nation acts as a bridge builder. It supports dialogue and de-escalation. The Caribbean community seeks stability. It advocates for peaceful resolutions. These stories of regional cooperation are important. They show a commitment to peace. The goal is to prevent wider conflict. Diplomacy is the preferred path. Dominica’s mediation offer reflects this. It aims to safeguard a zone of peace. The ongoing narrative involves many players. Finding common ground is essential. It benefits the entire community. This offers a path forward. It avoids destructive stories of war. The community spirit is key. It seeks peaceful solutions for all stories.