Albert Ramdin, the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), has called on the United States and Venezuela to prioritize diplomatic solutions to ease escalating tensions, emphasizing the need to avoid a potential ‘war-type situation.’ In a recent interview broadcast on social media, Ramdin stressed the importance of maintaining the Caribbean as a ‘zone of peace’ and urged both nations to exercise restraint. ‘I hope that both countries—Venezuela and the United States—do restrain themselves and ensure that diplomatic negotiations take precedence,’ said Ramdin, a former Suriname foreign minister. He also highlighted the necessity of lawful methods in combating narco-trafficking, a growing concern in the region. The appeal comes amid fears that the US military build-up in the Caribbean is aimed at destabilizing Venezuela’s Nicholás Maduro administration rather than targeting drug cartels. The US has labeled the Cartel de los Soles, allegedly linked to Maduro, as a narco-terrorist organization. Ramdin’s remarks coincided with a visit by General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and President Donald Trump’s primary military adviser, to Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago, where he met with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Ramdin underscored the importance of adhering to international law and human rights in combating transnational organized crime, noting that governments must have the legal tools to address these challenges effectively. He also suggested that countries amend their laws to empower governments to fight crime without violating human rights. The issue of transnational crime has been raised by Colombia in recent discussions within the OAS, though it has not yet been formally addressed by the organization.