Organization of American States, OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza has suggested the participation of 'outside players' in Venezuela to try and lower the pressure and consequences of the current situation in the country. Insulza made the suggestion in a letter published by several newspapers from the region, but underlining that it is Venezuelans that must reach an understanding to overcome the situation.
The Mercosur summit is still scheduled for March but given the current situation in Venezuela, host of the event, there could be another delay admitted Paraguay's Foreign minister Eladio Loizaga, who added that there are permanent contacts between members countries to try and avoid another scenario.
In a rally at the Buenos Aires province town of Florencio Varela, President Cristina Fernandez ratified Argentina’s “solidarity” with the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro, as the fifth Mercosur full member continues to be caught up in a wave of violent protests that have claimed the lives of 6 so far.
President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro has warned that if US-owned television station CNN do not change their coverage of protests they will be forced out of the country. CNN has the objective of forcing a civil war in order to provoke the 'gringo' [US] army against our fatherland. Alert the entire country, alert, the head of state warned, in a live television appearance this evening.
The current political crisis in Venezuela is rattling regional organizations, has two of the leading countries fearful of the crowds in the streets, while Latin American left wing populism believes there is a concerted right wing effort to destabilize the governments of Venezuela and Argentina, according to Argentine political analyst Rosendo Fraga.
Imprisoned protest leader Leopoldo Lopez urged supporters to keep fighting for the departure of Venezuela's populist government, even as he was due in court accused of fomenting unrest that has killed at least five people.
An Argentine picket leader closely aligned with the administration of President Cristina Fernandez openly supported the Venezuelan government of president Nicolas Maduro and called for the opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez to be sentenced to a firing squad.
Hard-line opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has handed himself over to Venezuelan security forces answering an arrest warrant placed on the figure following last week's fatal protests against the regime of President Nicolas Maduro. The government formally accused Lopez of instigating the protests and conspiring for a right-wing coup.
The Chilean coalition of Chilean president elect Michelle Bachelet is divided on how to address events in Venezuela, according to the latest statements. While the Christian Democrats support the 'democratic forces' in Venezuela in reference to the marches against President Nicolas Maduro, the Communist party accused 'destabilization attempts' as the reason for the widespread violence.
The Union of Southern Nations (UNASUR) expressed on Monday its energetic condemnation of the violent episodes recorded over the last week in Venezuela during conflicting opposition and pro-government marches, and called for the preservation of institutions and democratic principles in the divided nation.