LIMA GROUP STATEMENT

Following the Leaders ́ Declaration of April 14th, 2018, the Ministers and Representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Saint Lucia, with the participation of Spain and by videoconference the US Secretary of State, and senior officials of the US Department of the Treasury, met to address the situation in Venezuela and the deterioration of the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in that country.

The participants reiterated their condemnation of the authoritarian regime which prevails in Venezuela which has violated democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, and have called the electoral process illegitimate and lacking credibility.

The participating countries made a final call to the government of Venezuela to suspend the general elections planned for May 20th, as they have been called by an illegitimate authority without the participation of all political actors in Venezuela, without independent international observation, and the necessary guaranties for a free, fair, transparent, and democratic process.

As a result of the working meeting, participants exchanged information, analyzed the possible scenarios and identified a series of actions that could be taken collectively or individually after May 20th in diplomatic, economic, financial and humanitarian areas.

The participating States reiterated their commitment to continue analyzing the situation and taking actions and implementing initiatives geared towards contributing to the re- establishment of the democratic order and the full respect of human rights and the rule of law in that country.