OAS Makes “Historic” Decision to Review Secretary General for Actions Against Venezuela

The regional body’s permanent council will gather next Tuesday to assess Luis Almagro’s controversial call for immediate intervention in Venezuelan domestic affairs and its suspension from the organization last month. 

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Los Angeles, June 16th 2016 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Organization of American States decided Wednesday to review the legitimacy of Secretary General Luis Almagro’s actions to invoke the Democratic Charter against Venezuela last month. The decision comes after a three day OAS summit in the Dominican Republic and the announcement of diplomatic talks between the United States and the South American nation.

“We want to announce that a historic vote has taken place,” expressed Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Relations Delcy Rodríguez.  “[The OAS] has voted on the issue of citizen Secretary General Almagro and the legality of his actions as mandated by the General Assembly, the highest body within this organization, [he] will be assessed by the Permanent Council per Venezuela’s request,” Rodríguez continued.

The Venezuelan diplomat requested the official review of the OAS head Wednesday which was approved with 19 votes in favor, 12 against, one abstention and two absent. Next Tuesday the OAS Permanent Council will meet in Washington to discuss Almagro’s conduct.

“They voted one by one, by roll call, with concern that Secretary General Almagro has exceeded his functions, disrespected the rules,” said Rodríguez. The General Assembly’s decision “echoes the theme that we as a General Assembly have convened around [today]: Institutional strengthening for sustainable development. We are setting a new course in the organization,” she affirmed.

Despite Almagro’s lengthy report calling for the OAS to investigate Venezuela for allegedly violating the constitution and perpetuating a political crisis, the Permanent Council voted against his proposal and instead, voiced support for dialogue rather than intervention.

Rodriguez referred to Almagro and his actions as being “mandated by Washington” and in tacit support a coup in the South American country. 

The Venezuelan Foreign Relations Minister told the multi-national Latin American news channel teleSUR, “an evaluation process is to begin regarding Secretary General Almagro’s illicit, illegitimate and fraudulent actions, [his] shameful conduct. Venezuela, rightly so, supported a declaration and requested in this instant that the Permanent Council review the Secretary General’s unmeasured actions. Not only against Venezuela. We have impeccable evidence of how the Secretary General is completely biased toward the opposition that aims to topple President Nicolas Maduro.”

In a press conference following the OAS session, Almagro responded to Rodríguez’s call for his review unconcernedly stating, “We have full peace of mind and certainty about the path chosen.”

Following the Permanent Council’s assessment of Almagro’s action, the body will gather again Thursday for a special session per the Secretary General’s request to evaluate the situation in Venezuela.

After what is being referred to as a triumph in defense of Venezuelan sovereignty, Rodríguez made special note to thank the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) and Caribbean nations for their support. She also called for the respect and recognition of President Maduro and the present administration.