Dominica’s President Sylvanie Burton has urged global powers to honor the Caribbean’s long-standing designation as a “zone of peace,” warning that any military conflict in the region would have devastating consequences for small island states and their neighbors in Latin America.
Speaking at the general debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Burton issued a clear appeal for diplomacy amid escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela.
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“I want to emphasize here today that there is no place in the Caribbean for war. The Caribbean is a zone of peace. Any military conflict in the Caribbean will have significant negative impacts on the Caribbean and Latin America. There is a better way to resolve differences; we urge the powers that be to find another way,” Burton told world leaders.
Her remarks came against the backdrop of a growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean. Washington has been deploying naval forces off Venezuela’s coast, citing efforts to curb drug trafficking. In recent weeks, U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats have intensified concerns, with Venezuela accusing the United States of waging an undeclared war in the region. Caracas has also called for a UN investigation into the strikes, which reportedly killed more than a dozen alleged traffickers.
Burton’s call echoes a wider sentiment within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which has consistently championed non-intervention, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful resolution of disputes. Analysts note that regional governments are wary of being drawn into great power rivalries, fearing the economic and security fallout from a potential escalation.
As the situation develops, the Caribbean continues to stress that peace and diplomacy must remain the foundation of hemispheric relations.
