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Venezuela suspended indefinitely: “Without democracy, you can't be part of Mercosur”

Sunday, August 6th 2017 - 00:23 UTC
Full article 14 comments
In Sao Paulo, Mercosur ministers said the move was meant to send a message to their neighbor, which is in the throes of a deepening political and economic crisis. In Sao Paulo, Mercosur ministers said the move was meant to send a message to their neighbor, which is in the throes of a deepening political and economic crisis.
“Essentially what Mercosur is saying is: Without democracy, no, you cannot be a part of Mercosur”, said Argentine foreign minister Jorge Faurie “Essentially what Mercosur is saying is: Without democracy, no, you cannot be a part of Mercosur”, said Argentine foreign minister Jorge Faurie
“Nobody will kick us out of Mercosur, even if they take illegal measures as they have done,” replied president Maduro “Nobody will kick us out of Mercosur, even if they take illegal measures as they have done,” replied president Maduro
Brazilian minister Aloysio Nunes said Venezuelans remain welcome in Brazil. Venezuelans routinely cross into Brazil in search of food and other basic supplies Brazilian minister Aloysio Nunes said Venezuelans remain welcome in Brazil. Venezuelans routinely cross into Brazil in search of food and other basic supplies

Mercosur foreign ministers meeting on Saturday in Brazil suspended Venezuela indefinitely for failing to uphold democratic norms amid an intensifying crackdown on dissent in the country. The bloc previously suspended Venezuela in December for failing to uphold commitments it made when it joined the group in 2012.

 The suspension will have little practical effect, with no economic sanctions or changes to trade or migration, and the bloc said it would try to limit any possible impact on Venezuelans to avoid exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the country.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes said Venezuelans remain welcome in Brazil. Venezuelans routinely cross into the continent's largest nation in search of food and other basic supplies amid shortages back home. Nunes said the move would have a “political effect.”

The new suspension will also make it harder for Venezuela to return to good standing since it can be lifted only when the bloc is satisfied that democratic order has been restored.

Meeting in Sao Paulo, Mercosur foreign ministers said the move was meant to send a message to their neighbor, which is in the throes of a deepening political and economic crisis.

“Today in Venezuela there is no democracy,” Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie told reporters after meeting with his counterparts from Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. “Essentially what Mercosur is saying is: Without democracy, no, you cannot be a part of Mercosur.”

The suspension was widely expected, and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro criticized the decision even before it became fact.

“Nobody will kick us out of Mercosur, even if they take illegal measures as they have done,” he told Argentina's Radio Rebelde earlier. “It is time for us to unite, to create a trade bloc of power, of development.”

The meeting came as Venezuela's newly formed constitutional assembly ousted the country's chief prosecutor, a one-time government ally turned critic.

Categories: Politics, Mercosur, Venezuela.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • Clyde15

    Brit Bob.

    You are beginning to sound a bit like Kipper/Hepatia.

    I think we have got the message you are trying to convey.

    Aug 07th, 2017 - 09:27 am +4
  • ElaineB

    Venezuela was shoved into Mercosur through the backdoor by CFK as repayment for Chavez illegally funding both Kirchner campaigns and buying up a huge part of Argentina's debt. Venezuela never really was a legitimate member.

    Aug 07th, 2017 - 09:26 am +3
  • Marti Llazo

    “The suspension will have little practical effect....”

    But when the toy countries offer up the appearance of no-risk courage and oratorical decisiveness, it's such good and comforting theatre.

    The moral high ground: it has worked so well on North Korea, too.

    Aug 06th, 2017 - 03:07 am +2
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