Versión Español
EspañolThe Organization of American States has suspended the meeting of the Permanent Council to be held on Thursday — what would have been an extraordinary session to discuss the recent protests and violence in Venezuela. The suspension stems from the Venezuelan delegation’s objections, based on an alleged breach of the organization’s rules.
Roy Chaderton, Venezuelan ambassador to the OAS, requested an annulment of Panama’s call for the meeting, claiming it was carried out in the absence of the president of the Permanent Council, Pedro Vergés. Given this absence, the call should have been issued by the delegation occupying the vice-presidency of the Permanent Council, which corresponds to Venezuela during the first quarter of 2014.
The representative of the delegation of Panama, Arturo Villarino, requested a special meeting on Wednesday because he believes that so far the agency has only addressed the crisis in Venezuela superficially. He said he would meet with Secretary General José Miguel Insulza to ask him to communicate with Vergés, who will return to Washington this afternoon, so that a new call might be issued.
Last week, the Permanent Council had informally discussed the issue of Venezuela. The Venezuelan delegation rejected criticism from the United States and Canada regarding the rights of free speech and association, while other delegations deplored the violence and called for dialogue in the country.
Source: El Nacional.
