CARICOM says situation in Venezuela of ‘grave concern’ with possible implications for neighbouring countries

The Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) met very early on Saturday following reports of military action in Venezuela.

“CARICOM is actively monitoring the situation which is of grave concern to the Region with possible implications for neighbouring countries,” the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown stated.

It added that CARICOM will continue to update the people of the Region as more information is received.

President Donald Trump says the US has carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and “captured its leader, President Nicolas Maduro” and his wife.

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez says the government does not know the whereabouts of President Maduro or the First Lady Cilia Flores.

President Irfaan Ali convened an early-morning meeting on Saturday with the Defence Board, the national security apparatus, regional commanders and other senior security officials to address the ongoing situation in Venezuela, his office said.

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar has made it clear that her country is not involved in ongoing United States military operations in neighbouring Venezuela, following confirmation from Washington that a large-scale strike was carried out early Saturday morning.

Maduro was captured by the US army’s Delta Force, officials tell the BBC’s US partner CBS News.

Delta Force is the US military’s top counter terrorism unit.