If it passes as expected, it would set in motion moves that could lead to Venezuela being symbolically suspended from the regional body — although Caracas has already announced its own intent to pull out. Maduro’s Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza was present as the OAS meeting opened to defend his government and to hear Pompeo reiterate the US call for Venezuela’s suspension. The top American diplomat accused Maduro of “dismantling democracy,” and urged more Latin American states to join the US in imposing increased economic and diplomatic sanctions on his administration. “Every time an OAS General Assembly approaches, we see the same movie,” Maduro said during a function in Caracas. The political crisis in Venezuela dominated the opening exchanges of the annual meeting in Washington, although Nicaragua also came under fire for its own harsh crackdown on opposition protesters.

Source: Manila Times June 05, 2018 04:07 UTC