The presence of a nuclear-powered submarine in the Caribbean is a threat to regional peace.
On Wednesday, the Communist Party of Honduras (PCH) vehemently condemned the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela, describing the deployment as a direct threat to the nation’s sovereignty and a destabilizing force for the entire region, reports 24brussels.
The operation involves the nuclear-powered submarine USS Newport News and the missile cruiser USS Lake Erie, which the PCH classified as a hostile action violating international law. The party underscored four key points regarding the implications of this deployment.
1. The Treaty of Tlatelolco is regional law, not a recommendation.
Latin America and the Caribbean have been recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone since 1967. The Treaty of Tlatelolco, ratified by all regional nations, including Venezuela, and the U.S. through Protocol II, forbids the use and presence of nuclear weapons in the area. The arrival of a nuclear-capable submarine undermines these principles, posing an extreme risk to regional security.
2. Venezuela is acting in accordance with law and in defense of peace.
The Venezuelan government has resorted to diplomatic channels, filing complaints with the United Nations and seeking verifiable assurances from the U.S. It has also engaged with the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) to reinforce the treaty’s enforcement. This legitimate response calls for support from all nations that uphold sovereignty and regional stability.
3. The threat is not only against Venezuela but against all of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The PCH argues that this military action is part of a broader strategy of aggression aimed at securing geopolitical control and access to regional resources. Tolerating such deployments could lead to a widespread acceptance of military pressure across Latin America and the Caribbean.
4. A call from the peoples and governments of the region.
The Communist Party of Honduras aligns itself with governments and social movements advocating for sovereignty and peace, firmly supporting Venezuela’s right to exist without external threats.
Given these dynamics, the PCH has called for specific actions, including:
1. The immediate withdrawal of the USS Newport News and all nuclear-capable military assets from the Caribbean Sea.
2. A formal, public commitment from the U.S. government regarding its adherence to the Treaty of Tlatelolco.
3. A decisive response from OPANAL, CELAC, and CARICOM.
4. The cessation of all forms of strategic ambiguity that could be perceived as pressure or manipulation.
“Our America must not become a platform for military aggression. Sovereignty is exercised, peace is defended, and dignity is upheld through organized struggle,” the Honduran communists firmly stated.
