Declaration of the XIV Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Lima Group

[Unofficial English translation]

The governments of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela—members of the Lima Group—met in Guatemala City in support of Juan Guaidó, interim president of Venezuela, and of the National Assembly to express the following:

1. Strongly condemn the systematic attacks of the illegitimate and dictatorial regime of Nicolás Maduro against the National Assembly of Venezuela, reject the announcement to call early legislative elections, reaffirm their unwavering support for the cessation of the usurpation of power and remain in favour of establishing a transitional government and the holding of free, fair and transparent presidential elections. 
2. Support the efforts of Juan Guaidó, interim president, in finding solutions through initiatives aiming to re-establish democracy in Venezuela and affirm the importance of deepening engagement with the countries that still support the illegitimate Maduro regime, in particular, Russia, China, Cuba and Türkiye, and urge them to be part of the solution of the crisis that has a growing impact in the region.
3. Denounce Nicolás Maduro and his illegitimate regime as the only one responsible for the worsening humanitarian situation of the Venezuelan people and reiterate that his stay in power represents an obstacle for the re-establishment of democracy in Venezuela and constitutes a threat that primarily affects regional peace and security.
4. Warn about the intensification of the mass exodus of Venezuelans, caused by the illegitimate Maduro regime, which has become one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, and reiterate the urgency for agencies, funds and programs of the United Nations system, as well as the international community, to support the efforts of host countries.
5. Urge the international community to take action in the face of the growing involvement of the illegitimate Maduro regime in different forms of corruption, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime involving the relatives and supporters of the Maduro regime, as well as the protection granted to the presence of terrorist organizations and illegal armed groups on Venezuelan territory and the impact in the region of their activities.
6. Highlight the central role of the region and, in turn, the need to coordinate efforts with the rest of the international community to support a prompt return to democracy in Venezuela through a political and peaceful solution led by the Venezuelans themselves and, for that reason, acknowledge the meeting between representatives of the Lima Group and the International Contact Group held on June 3, 2019, and express their willingness to continue in coordination.
7. Decide to remain in permanent contact and welcome the offer of Argentina to hold the next Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Lima Group, on a date to be agreed upon.

Guatemala City, June 6, 2019