US waiting for Venezuela situation to ‘clear up’; insists constitution must be complied

Tuesday, January 15th 2013 - 06:53 UTC

Full article 11 comments

Roberta Jacobson in close contact with Latinamerica colleagues

United States and other Latinamerican countries wish the situation in Venezuela ‘clears up’, said Roberta S. Jacobson Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, currently in Spain as part of a visit that also includes the UK and Belgium.

“It is a difficult time for Venezuelans” said Ms Jacobson who also recalled that on several occasions the administration of President Obama has expressed wishes for a quick recovery of cancer-stricken President Hugo Chavez, currently in Havana convalescent of the fourth surgery in eighteen months.

Ms Jacobson revealed she has had many contacts with colleagues from Latinamerica in recent weeks to talk about the situation in Venezuela and wish a quick recovery of the Venezuelan leader.

“We all want the situation in Venezuela to clear up” said Ms Jacobson who added that if the constitution of the country determines that “fresh elections” are needed, she is hopeful that the elections are “open for all”.

In that context she emphasized that Washington was hopeful that Venezuela’s problems are addressed according to the constitution and democratic institutions and instruments.

Ms Jacobson also referred to Venezuela and US tentative moves to improve relations, as has been repeatedly expressed by the administration of President Obama.

Officials say the détente began in late November, when Roberta Jacobson, telephoned Vice President Nicolás Maduro, the Chávez-designated heir. Both sides discussed areas of mutual interest, according to the top diplomat for Latinamerican affairs.

“We have for some time made it clear that we were willing and open to trying to improve our ties with Venezuela” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said at a briefing last week when the news was first leaked in the media.

Maduro at the time also revealed that President Chavez was well aware of the contacts and he supported them.

Categories: Politics, Latin America, United States, Venezuela.

Tags: Roberta Jacobson, Venezuela.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules

rylang23
Me thinks that Ms. Jacobson might better spend her time looking into the lapse of regard for the US constitution and elections. The Venezuelans are doing just fine, thank you.
Jan 15th, 2013 - 10:54 am 0
Captain Poppy
Me thinks ...you don't.

Dictocracy....not democracy=venezuela
Jan 15th, 2013 - 11:03 am 0
Anglotino
@1 Rylang23

Another unfounded accusation. Must be hard to defend Venezuela when all you can do is make false accusations against the US. I remember your last post which I thoroughly demolished and left you quite literally speechless.

Anyone interested can have a look:
http://en.mercopress.com/2013/01/09/us-says-chavez-succession-is-an-issue-for-venezuelans-to-decide-and-must-include-all-voices

So please quote contraventions of the US constitution by the US while I talk about the current lapse in Venezuela.

Venezuela is currently without a president. Truly this is a case of an emperor with no clothes.

According to Artice 231 of the Venezuelan constitution implemented by none other than Chavez:
“The candidate elected shall take office as President of the Republic on January 10 of the first year of his constitutional term, by taking an oath before the National Assembly. If for any supervening reason, the person elected President of the Republic cannot be sworn in before the National Assembly, he shall take the oath of office before the Supreme Tribunal of Justice”

Chavez did not take his oath on January 10th before either the National Assembly or the Supreme Court ergo he is not president.

As all appointed positions became vacant on that date, Maduro is no longer Vice President as his position expired.

According to Article 233 a new election must be held within 30 days. Some are arguing that due to Article 234 the Vice President can rule in a President's place for 180 days. However even this has issues as it will depend on whether Chavez is permanently incapacitated or not.

The fact that Chavez has not even recorded a voice message or had a photo taken would be proof enough if incapacitation.

Venezuela has had a bloodless coup and you keep trying to deflect to the US.

Typical.
Jan 15th, 2013 - 11:16 am 0

Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!