Statement by the Lima Group in response to the retaliatory actions taken by Venezuela against Panama for their imposition of increased financial scrutiny on Venezuelan officials and companies 

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru expressed their support for Panama following measures adopted by Venezuela against Panamanian authorities and companies in retaliation for the list of high-risk Venezuelans that Panama recently issued.

The above-noted countries regret that the Venezuelan government, instead of contributing to the global community’s efforts to defend democracy and human rights, as well as protecting international financial systems, continues to violate constitutional order as well as international standards , adopting measures to the detriment of the region’s countries and its citizens through a list that lacks both substance and a legal framework. The countries also condemn the fact that these measures limit the region’s connectivity and make travel difficult for thousands of Venezuelans and Latin Americans who use Panama as an air-transportation hub.

The countries reiterate their call for the Government of Venezuela to commit to seeking a solution to the political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis that affects its citizens and all the countries of the region.