“Venezuela, fully exercising the pro tempore chair of the Mercosur and protecting its treaties rejects the Triple Alliance declaration” wrote Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez in her Twitter account. Caracas refers to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay as the Triple Alliance as part of what it considers a concerted effort against its interests. The term is loaded as it refers to the nineteenth-century war in which Paraguay faced off against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, the bloodiest military conflict in Latin American history. Caracas has been given until December 1, 2016 to incorporate a host of international treaties, Mercosur guidelines and recommendations, with suspension from the regional bloc threatened if fails to meet the demands. Given the evident animosity on display and the shrinking middle ground within the Mercosur, it remains to be seen what paths exist for Caracas to avoid suspension as a full member.

Source: Bueno Aires Herald September 15, 2016 02:03 UTC