Lima Group Declaration in support of the process of democratic transition and the reconstruction of Venezuela

The governments of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela, members of the Lima Group, committed to contributing to the process of democratic transition and the institutional, economic and social reconstruction of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela:

1. Condemn the deliberate acts of Nicolás Maduro's illegitimate regime, which, disregarding the people's suffering and the persistent calls of the international community, has prevented the entry of basic necessities and international assistance on 23 February, through acts of violent repression that left several dead and injured at the border with Colombia and Brazil, which has increased the risk posed to the life, dignity and integrity of Venezuelans.

2. Express their solidarity with the Venezuelan people and recognize their courage and bravery in their fight to restore democracy, and they reaffirm the Lima Group's commitment to continuing to actively support this effort.

3. Denounce Nicolás Maduro's illegitimate regime to the international community for intentionally subjecting Venezuelans, especially the most vulnerable groups, to a systematic deprivation of food and medicine and access to basic services, to remain in power.

4. Express their gratitude for the humanitarian assistance provided to Venezuela, and condemn the indiscriminate violence used by security forces and armed groups serving Nicolás Maduro's illegitimate regime to obstruct its distribution and prevent the full exercise of rights and freedoms of Venezuelans.  Thus, they will collaborate in order to prosecute those responsible.

5. Decide to request the International Criminal Court to take into consideration the serious humanitarian situation in Venezuela, the criminal violence of Nicolás Maduro's regime against the civilian population, and the denial of access to humanitarian assistance, all of which constitute crimes against humanity, during the proceedings it is pursuing by virtue of the request submitted by Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay and Peru on 27 September, 2018, and later endorsed by Costa Rica and France, and welcomed by Germany.

6. Decide to promote the designation by the United Nations Human Rights Council of an independent expert or a commission of inquiry on the situation in Venezuela, in response to the deep concern over "the serious violations of human rights in the context of a political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis" in the country, expressed in Resolution A/HRC/RES/39/1 "Promotion and protection of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela" of 26 September 2018, and once again call on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to respond promptly to the situation in Venezuela, prior to the presentation of her comprehensive report at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council.

7. Express the irreversible nature of their commitment to the democratic transition and the institutional, economic and social reconstruction of Venezuela, emphasizing that the continuity of Nicolás Maduro and his illegitimate regime in power represents an unprecedented threat to security, peace, freedom and prosperity in the entire region, which is why they are promoting the discussion of the current situation in Venezuela in the United Nations Security Council, and will continue to address it in the Organization of American States.  Furthermore, they will advance direct arrangements with the United Nations Secretary-General to promote, within the scope of their competence, the activation of the United Nations System regarding the situation in Venezuela.

8. Express their satisfaction at the growing number of States that have recognized the constitutional authority of the National Assembly and of Interim President Juan Guaidó, and invite those States and the international community as a whole to join the commitment of the Lima Group to the democratic transition and the immediate provision of humanitarian assistance, adhering to the Ottawa Declaration for Venezuela.  In this regard, they decide to step up the efforts of the Lima Group at the international level, establishing all the necessary contacts and coordination, including special missions, to disseminate the efforts and actions undertaken by the Lima Group to help restore democracy and constitutional order in Venezuela.

9. Agree to maintain permanent coordination with representatives from the government of Interim President Juan Guaidó, both in bilateral relations and international organizations to which they belong and in the multilateral fora in which they participate, with a view to the restoration of democracy, economic reconstruction and prompt response to the humanitarian crisis. In this regard, they will promote their recognition in international organizations and in multilateral coordination mechanisms, as legitimate representatives of Venezuela.

10. Decide to advance in the recognition of representatives of Interim President Juan Guaidó, in accordance with their internal procedures.

11. Reiterate their call on all members of the National Armed Forces to recognize Interim President Juan Guaidó as their Commander in Chief, and urge them to remain faithful to their constitutional mandate to serve the Nation and not just one person, and, thus, to cease to serve as instruments of Nicolás Maduro's illegitimate regime for the oppression of the Venezuelan people and the systematic violation of their human rights.

12. Urge the members of the Venezuelan Judiciary and Justice System, including those appointed irregularly, to recognize the legitimate authority of the National Assembly and of Interim President Juan Guaidó and to observe the full exercise of their constitutional powers, with a view to facilitating democratic transition and the restoration of the rule of law.

13. Call on the countries that still maintain cooperation ties with Nicolás Maduro's illegitimate regime to help facilitate the search for solutions with a view to making way for the process of democratic transition and the holding of free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

14. Offer their strong support for the Agreement for the Promotion of the Rescue Plan for Venezuela, adopted by the National Assembly on 29 January. In this regard, they express their willingness to hold an international conference and they will request the Inter-American Development Bank to lead the support for Venezuela's legitimate authorities in the implementation of institutional and economic reforms that they may deem necessary to revitalize the economy and offer social progress opportunities to all Venezuelans.

15. Reaffirm the right of all Venezuelans to live in democracy and freedom, and thus reiterate their support for the holding of free and fair elections, open to the participation of all political forces, with international support and observation, organized by a neutral and duly constituted electoral authority  In order for these new democratic elections to be held, they demand the immediate removal of Nicolás Maduro and the end of usurpation, respecting the constitutional authority of the National Assembly and Interim President Juan Guaidó.

16. Reiterate their firm belief that transition to democracy must be conducted by Venezuelans themselves, peacefully and within the framework of the Constitution and international law, supported by political and diplomatic means, without the use of force.

17. Agree to reaffirm and follow up on the measures previously adopted by the Lima Group; offer their support for the design and implementation of the electoral calendar set up by the National Assembly and Interim President Juan Guaidó, and warn the international community about the pressing need to allow the entry of humanitarian assistance for the Venezuelan people.

18. Welcome the offer of the Government of the Republic of Chile to host the next meeting of the Lima Group on a date to be determined.