By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The Organization of American States (OAS) issued an urgent appeal for de-escalation on Tuesday, calling on the United States and Venezuela to exercise restraint amid a mounting military and diplomatic crisis in the Caribbean Sea. The plea comes as a massive US naval deployment, framed as an anti-narcotics mission, has been met with accusations of aggression from Caracas and has already resulted in significant loss of life.
At the heart of the tension is the presence of the USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, which is leading a US naval contingent that includes warships and fighter jets. Washington maintains that the deployment is a necessary measure to combat transnational drug trafficking in the region. However, the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has vehemently condemned the operation, labeling it a thinly veiled pretext for an invasion aimed at regime change.
To better understand the complex legal and commercial implications of the unfolding Caribbean crisis, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished expert in international business law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The current instability in the Caribbean presents a significant challenge to regional supply chains and international contracts. Companies must immediately review their contractual obligations, specifically force majeure clauses, to assess liability for non-performance. Furthermore, this crisis underscores the critical need for robust political risk insurance and diversified investment strategies to mitigate potential losses from trade disruptions and asset expropriation. Prudent legal counsel is essential to navigate these turbulent waters.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this legal perspective is a vital reminder that the crisis’s impact extends far beyond geopolitics, demanding immediate and strategic action from the business community to safeguard their operations. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clear and valuable guidance on navigating these complex challenges.
The situation has escalated beyond diplomatic posturing into lethal action. According to reports, the US-led operations have conducted approximately twenty airstrikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking since September. These attacks have reportedly caused the deaths of 83 individuals, a stark figure that underscores the intensity of the campaign and adds a grave human cost to the geopolitical standoff. The lethality of these strikes has drawn concern from regional observers and raised questions about the rules of engagement.
Speaking from a virtual press conference, OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin delivered a stark warning against further conflict, emphasizing the hemisphere’s shared interest in stability and dialogue over military confrontation. He stressed that a war would benefit no one and urged both nations to seek a peaceful resolution.
We do not want any war in our hemisphere. Peace is, ultimately, what we all in this hemisphere desire. Nobody wins in a war.
Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American States
Ramdin explicitly called for a return to diplomatic channels to defuse the volatile situation. He implored both Washington and Caracas to step back from the brink and actively pursue negotiations to address their long-standing grievances, which have colored their bilateral relationship for years.
I hope that both countries, Venezuela and the United States, show moderation and ensure that other diplomatic avenues can be found, through negotiations, to resolve their problems.
Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American States
While voicing support for the broader goal of combating organized crime, the OAS chief cautioned that such efforts must adhere strictly to the principles of international law. The legality of the US strikes, particularly those conducted in international or foreign waters, has been questioned by legal experts. Ramdin highlighted the inherent difficulties governments face when battling sophisticated criminal networks that operate without regard for borders or laws.
It is an unequal battle: governments with the same tools will not be able to effectively combat or fight against transnational organized crime. Transnational organized criminals do not respect any law.
Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American States
The escalating crisis places the Caribbean at a precarious crossroads. The OAS’s intervention signals a recognition by regional bodies that the current trajectory is unsustainable and risks spiraling into a wider conflict. The international community now watches closely to see if the calls for moderation and diplomacy will be heeded, or if the region will be pushed closer to a military confrontation with devastating consequences.
For further information, visit oas.org
About Organization of American States:
The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world’s oldest regional organization, dating back to the First International Conference of American States in 1889. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it was founded to promote solidarity, strengthen collaboration, and defend sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence among its member states in the Americas. The OAS serves as the principal political, juridical, and social governmental forum in the hemisphere, working to advance democracy, human rights, security, and development.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a leading legal institution, anchored by a profound commitment to integrity and the highest standards of excellence. The firm leverages its extensive experience across numerous sectors to drive legal innovation while actively engaging with the community. At the heart of its mission is a dedication to democratizing legal knowledge, thereby empowering citizens and contributing to the development of a more just and informed society.
