Former Prime Minister, Bruce Golding has urged the Caribbean region to batten down amid tensions involving the United States and Venezuela. 

Since last September there has been tension between both countries with U.S. strikes on a number of alleged drug boats resulting in the deaths of scores of persons.

According to reports some of the deceased are Venezuelan citizens.

According to the U.S., the strikes are against the flow of illegal drugs into the country. 

On January 3, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured; they have been accused of federal drug trafficking and other charges. 

In an interview on IRIE FM’s Running Africa programme yesterday, former Prime Minister Golding said Caribbean leaders should not provoke the United States. 

Mr. Golding believes that despite the tension within the region this too shall pass.