Venezuelan Representatives Leave OAS Session in Protest

The Venezuelan delegation to the Organization of American States (OAS) withdrew from an extraordinary session on November 16, citing several nations’ attempt to discuss the dialogue process between the country’s ruling party and opposition as “interventionist.” The 34 countries on the Permanent Council arranged the session to discuss a draft declaration submitted by various members, including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and the United States, to support the national dialogue in Venezuela.

However, Carmen Velásquez, Venezuelan representative to the OAS, quickly intervened and condemned the session, asserting that the Venezuelan government cannot allow the OAS to comment on the internal affairs of the country. “We want to denounce [and] express our concern about the harassment of Venezuela by several countries that meet frequently and convened this extraordinary session,” she said.

In the declaration supporting negotiations in Venezuela, the signatories encourage President Nicolás Maduro’s government and the opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity Roundtable, to “achieve concrete results within a reasonable time frame [in order] to put an end to the difficult situation in Venezuela.” They also urge political actors to proceed “with prudence and to avoid any act of violence or threats to the ongoing [dialogue] process.”

Yet, the Venezuelan representative asserted that the meeting violated the principles of non-interference in a country's’ internal affairs and sovereignty, noting that the declaration was negotiated “behind Venezuela’s back.”

In solidarity with Maduro’s government, Bolivia accused the Permanent Council of being "illegal and illegitimate," and also left the meeting, along with Nicaragua, at OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C.

In response to Venezuela’s allegations, the countries behind the declaration defended the legality of the session, noting that the OAS has a responsibility to express itself on the Venezuelan situation. "The Permanent Council cannot remain silent, defenseless on grounds of principle," said Argentinian ambassador Juan José Arcuri.

Despite the friction between parties, the declaration was approved, sending a new signal of international support to negotiations between Maduro’s government and the country’s opposition to resolve the deep political and economic crisis rattling Venezuela.