On August 11, 2016, 15 OAS member states issued a joint statement on recent developments in Venezuela, including Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the U.S. and Uruguay.
I would like to refer to today’s joint statement by fifteen OAS member states on recent developments in Venezuela.
We believe this pronouncement is an opportunity to advance the objectives of the June 1 declaration adopted by the Permanent Council, in which member states offered support to dialogue efforts facilitated by former Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero, former Panamanian President Torrijos, and former Dominican Republic President Fernandez. This statement also builds on the June 15 communique signed by fifteen OAS member states expressing strong support for the efforts of the former presidents to promote dialogue and encouraging respect for the separation of powers, rule of law and democratic institutions, and the fair and timely implementation of constitutional mechanisms.
U.S. Secretary of State Kerry reiterated the United States’ support for the implementation of a fair and timely recall referendum when he said, “we encourage Venezuela to embrace the recall, not in a delayed way that pushes it into next year, but to do this as a sign of respect to the constitution of the country and to the needs of the people of the country.”
The United States stands ready to help facilitate a national dialogue that will effectively address the political, economic, social, and humanitarian dimensions of the crisis in Venezuela.
The United States joins with others in the international community in calling on the Venezuelan government to release political prisoners, respect freedom of expression and assembly, and alleviate shortages of food and medicine.
Thank you.
