MEXICO CITY (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 26th February, 2019) The Lima Group has decided to request the International Criminal Court to give its assessment of the situation in Venezuela, the final statement, adopted after the group's meeting in Bogota on Monday, said.
"We have decided to turn to the International Criminal Court with a request to take into account the grave humanitarian situation in Venezuela, the criminal violence of [Venezuelan President] Nicolas Maduro's regime against civilians and the denial of access to international aid, which is a crime against humanity," the statement said.
� The participants of the meeting also stressed that the transition to "democracy" must be performed by Venezuelans themselves without the use of force and in line with the country's constitution.
"We call on the countries that continue to maintain partnership relations with Nicolas Maduro's illegitimate regime, to help find solutions that would open the way to a democratic transition and the holding of free, fair, transparent and credible elections," the statement added.
The Lima Group comprises 14 member states, the majority of which have been critical of Maduro and have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's self-proclaimed interim leader.
Russia, China, Cuba, Mexico and other countries continue to back Maduro, who calls Guaido a US puppet, as the country's legitimate president.
