CARICOM criticized for stance on Russian invasion of Ukraine

Last week CARICOM issued a statement condemning the actions of the Russian Federation and called for a cease-fire.

However, General Secretary of the Caribbean Movement For Peace and Integration (CMPI) David Denny said that the regional bloc was badly advised and influenced by “incorrect information” from western media.

Speaking at a virtual press conference on Sunday, Denny said, “I think that CARICOM made a very big mistake in that CARICOM concentrated on the western media information and that information influenced CARICOM to act. I think CARICOM  should have done a lot more in terms of investigating the matter and [they] should have looked at the historical path.”

The social activist explained that the issue between Ukraine and Russia has been brewing for over eight years.

He said: “CARICOM should have condemned the United States and NATO for its military buildup in Poland that created the conditions for this war … I think CARICOM should have made a statement that would ask for further discussions between the two governments.”

On Friday Denny came under fire on social media after voicing his support for Russia, with some people questioning why a “peaceful” organisation would condone war.

Denny clarified his comments at today’s press conference.

“The Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration is one that supports peace, we believe that our region should remain a zone of peace but as I mentioned earlier, this is a peace intervention by Russia and Russia is going after a position to defend itself against the many threats by the United States of America and NATO nations.”

The CMPI’s General Secretary said that they would prefer if there could be more discussions between Ukraine and Russia so that both countries can find a solution. However, Denny said that the mounting of forces from NATO and the USA was a provocation to the Russian Federation.

“If you build up a military base against a foreign country that country will feel threatened and they will do whatever they can to defend themselves and I think that is what is happening here today and that’s why our movement supports Russia,” he said.

However, Denny said that CMPI could not support the killing of innocent people.

“We do not support a war against the people of Ukraine, we support a peaceful intervention and we support Russia with an intervention that would allow them to defend themselves against the USA and NATO. We also would like to see the Ukraine people given the right to be able to develop their own independent nation and for them to have their own government.” (KB)