The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Tuesday that Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua will not be invited to the 10th Summit of the Americas. Arguing that it will prioritize the meeting’s success.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted in a statement that when it assumed the pro tempore presidency in 2023. The Dominican government announced that the 10th Summit would be inclusive, a goal that, it said, “we seek to honor.”
However, it stated, “given the current context of political polarization. We have decided to prioritize the meeting’s success by extending the invitation to as many countries as possible.”
“In that sense, not inviting Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—countries that, for various reasons, have decided not to join the OAS. That also did not participate in the last edition of the Summit of the Americas. It constitutes the decision that, given the hemispheric circumstances, favors the largest possible turnout and ensures the forum’s development,” it argued.
He recalled that, on previous occasions, when the Dominican Republic hosted the Ibero-American Summit in 2023. Or the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC in the Spanish acronym) in Bavaro in 2017. These countries were invited and participated fully.
Moreover he maintained that all of the above responds to a strictly multilateral criterion and specified. That, at the same time, the Dominican Republic’s bilateral relationship with each of these states maintains its own characteristics.
In the case of Cuba, he noted in the statement that “relations are historic, solid, and excellent. Bilateral exchanges in various areas have never been interrupted and have been mutually beneficial. Political differences have always been managed with mutual respect.”
Regarding Nicaragua, he emphasized that “relations are cordial. We share spaces in forums such as SICA, CELAC, the UN, and SEGIB. In addition to maintaining balanced bilateral trade.”
Regarding Venezuela, he said that, although “we are united by deep historical ties. The Dominican government has not recognized the legitimacy of the last two presidential elections held there. While the Venezuelan authorities have suspended diplomatic relations.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that holding the Summit of the Americas constitutes one of the main challenges for the Dominican Republic. As it entails a significant multilateral responsibility.
“This means that the pro tempore presidency that our country currently holds must be exercised from that perspective. And in accordance with the interests of the majority of the member states of the mechanism,” he added.
“The Summit of the Americas, launched by the United States in 1994, became closely coordinated by the Organization of American States (OAS) through its Summit Secretariat. This framework establishes specific limitations regarding participation,” he stated.
Futhermore he reiterated that the Dominican Republic adopted the decision it considers most favorable to guarantee the broadest possible participation in the Summit. And said that the government believes it is preferable to create the conditions that ensure the broadest political dialogue. With the highest level of hemispheric representation.
On February 6th, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio once again attacked the governments of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. Also their potential presence at the 10th Summit of the Americas in that country, during a working visit to Santo Domingo.
Rubio held a press conference at the end of his visit. During which he evasively responded to a local journalist’s question about whether the U.S. government would be in a position to pressure those three governments not to be invited. Also if not, whether it would not attend the meeting if invited by President Luis Abinader.
During the joint conference with the Dominican dignitary at the National Palace. He took the opportunity to argue that “the three nations are enemies of humanity” and accused them of contributing to regional instability.
The Cuban government immediately rejected the statements made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
With information from Prensa Latina
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