CARICOM To U.S. : Lift Venezuela Sanctions

CARIBBEAN – Caribbean community leaders have asked the United States to lift sanctions against Venezuela so as to allow regional countries to benefit from the Petrocaribe initiative.

Petrocaribe is a regional oil procurement agreement between Venezuela and Caribbean countries that was founded in June 2005 during the presidency of late Hugo Chavez.

In a statement issued late Thursday night following their discussions with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, regional leaders said there must be a balanced approach to develop the region’s hydrocarbon resources and to maximise renewable energy potential.