19 OAS countries are unaware of the fraudulent government of Nicolás Maduro

The Organization of American States (OAS) agreed “not to recognize the legitimacy of the period of Nicolás Maduro’s regime, in Venezuela, as of January 10, 2019”, and called for new elections to be held “at a close date” with international observation.

In an extraordinary meeting of its Permanent Council, a resolution in that sense presented by Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, USA, Peru and Paraguay obtained 19 votes in favor, 6 against, 8 abstentions and one absence, the which was transmitted “immediately” to the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Among the countries that voted in favor were Ecuador, Canada and Brazil. Dominican Republic and Haiti surprised by their vote in favor of Venezuelan democracy and against the Madurista regime, because in previous sessions, they preferred to abstain.

Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia and some Caribbean countries voted against and among the countries that abstained was Mexico.

The Venezuelan delegation, led by Ambassador Samuel Moncada, rejected the holding of the meeting of the Permanent Council of the OAS and described it as a “hostile and unfriendly act”. Also, he anticipated that he will not recognize “any decision that could be adopted”.

The vote took place in Washington shortly after Maduro swore a second term of six years (2019-2025) after prevailing in May last year in a controversial election to which the bulk of the opposition did not appear as fraudulent or because its main leaders were disabled or imprisoned.

In the resolution, the member countries of the OAS called for “the holding of new presidential elections with all the guarantees necessary for a free, fair, transparent and legitimate process.”

Said process, according to the document, must be held “at a nearby date with the presence of international observers”.

In that sense, they reaffirmed that “only through a national dialogue with the participation of all political actors and other Venezuelan stakeholders, national reconciliation can be achieved and the indispensable conditions to celebrate a new electoral process that truly reflects the will of Venezuelan citizens and peacefully resolve “the crisis.

The resolution also demands “the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.”

It also urges the “Venezuelan regime” to allow the “immediate entry of humanitarian aid” for its people, in order to “prevent the aggravation of the humanitarian crisis and public health.”

Likewise, it urges the Member States and Permanent Observers of the OAS to adopt “in accordance with international law and its national legislation”, the “diplomatic, political, economic and financial measures” that they consider to “contribute to the restoration of democratic order” in that country.

The document also agreed to “express active solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their commitment to keep the situation in Venezuela under surveillance and to support diplomatic measures that facilitate the restoration of democratic institutions and full respect for human rights.”

In June of last year, a few days after the elections in Venezuela, the OAS approved a resolution in its General Assembly that opened the door to the suspension of the Caribbean country of the organization and declared illegitimate the re-election of Maduro as president.

The Maduro Government asked to leave the OAS on April 28, 2017, an exit that should be effective in 2019.

With information from EFE.