MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, March 19th 2024 - 11:09 UTC

 

 

Unasur calls on the US to revoke measures against Venezuela and implement dialogue

Monday, March 16th 2015 - 10:08 UTC
Full article 13 comments
The group said the signing of an executive order by President Obama labeling Caracas as an extraordinary threat to national security was actually a threat to Venezuela’s sovereignty. The group said the signing of an executive order by President Obama labeling Caracas as an extraordinary threat to national security was actually a threat to Venezuela’s sovereignty.
UNASUR also said the actions by the United States amounted to “an interventionist threat to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.” UNASUR also said the actions by the United States amounted to “an interventionist threat to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.”

The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) slammed the United States for its decision to label Venezuela as a security threat and impose sanctions against a number of its officials, calling on Washington to revoke the measure.

 Foreign ministers from the 12-nation UNASUR attacked Washington’s move during an emergency summit held Saturday in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito, to discuss the recent events involving Venezuela.

“We call upon the United States to evaluate and implement dialogue as an alternative”, the ministers said in a joint statement.

They said the signing of an executive order by US President Barack Obama on March 9 labeling Caracas as an extraordinary threat to national security was actually a threat to Venezuela’s sovereignty.

UNASUR also said the actions by the United States amounted to “an interventionist threat to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.”

The reaction by UNASUR comes against the backdrop of sanctions passed by Washington against seven Venezuelan officials for allegedly violating the rights of opponents and critics of the government.

Washington’s decision has drawn criticism from a number of regional leaders, including Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez.

The Venezuelan government recently ordered the American embassy to cut the number of its staff from 100 to 17 by around mid-March as only 17 Venezuelan diplomats are currently serving in the United States.

Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of meddling in the internal affairs of Venezuela and attempting to topple his government.

The two countries have been at odds since late Hugo Chavez became Venezuela’s president in 1999. Washington has admitted to endorsing a coup that briefly removed Chavez from power in 2002.

UNASUR comprises Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, Columbia, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, Chile and Ecuador. It was established in December 2004.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • LEPRecon

    UNASUR need to be criticising Venezuela for oppressing its own people.

    What will it take? A massacre of opposition protestors? Thousands being 'disappeared'.

    It's because of these stupid statements and a refusal to take a stand against a member is why they'll always be considered a joke. And a bad joke at that.

    Mar 16th, 2015 - 10:25 am 0
  • Mendoza Canadian

    And yesterday they gave him the power to do almost anything. And I am sure he will. Just watch as the opposition disappears.

    Mar 16th, 2015 - 10:26 am 0
  • LEPRecon

    @2 MC

    Agreed. And these idiots just stand there and applaud him.

    But when the sh!t hits the fan, and the bodies are piled up in the streets, they'll be the 1st to distance themselves from Maduro, and state how they never supported him.

    They're a pathetic weak bunch with no moral stance on anything.

    And after the dust has settled South America will still blame the USA and the EU because they refuse to accept any responsibility.

    Mar 16th, 2015 - 10:33 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!