The Bahamas does not recognise the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro’s presidency in Venezuela.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Bahamas was among the Organisation of American States (OAS) countries recognising Juan Guaidó, President of the National Assembly, as Interim President.

The announcement came after a Special Meeting of the Permanent Council of the OAS on Thursday to address the critical on-going political crisis in Venezuela.

The statement said: “This decision is consistent with The Bahamas’ affirmative voting on previous resolutions and calls for discussions within the OAS regarding the situation in Venezuela, including the 10 January 2019 resolution to not recognise the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro’s presidency.

“Venezuela’s constitution includes provisions that call upon the citizenry to disown any regime, legislation, or authority that violates democratic values, principles, and guarantees or encroaches upon human rights. In this regard, Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution provides specific circumstances

through which the President of the National Assembly can assume the role of Interim President.

The statement continued: “The Government of The Bahamas reiterates and shares its deep concern for the welfare of the people of Venezuela, given the critical economic and social challenges, as well as the migration challenges faced by its neighbouring countries. Figures from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and other international agencies indicate that some 3 million Venezuelans have left their country to seek refuge in neighbouring countries in Latin American and the Caribbean.

“The Bahamas maintains its long-standing position of respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law and commits its support to the people of Venezuela for the restoration of representative democracy through a peaceful and orderly process.