Latin American foreign ministers and most probably presidents, will meet next week to discuss the unrest in Venezuela that has left at least 21 dead and hundreds injured and arrested following weeks of protests and clashes, according to the Ecuadorean president Rafael Correa.
The Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council approved late Friday night after a whole day of discussions and by an ample majority, a statement in support of peace and an end to violence in Venezuela, where street protests and clashes have left at least 22 dead and hundreds injured and arrested.
Brazil's private sector concerned with harsh times ahead, particularly with exports to Argentina and Venezuela are proposing that Mercosur trade should be done with local currencies leaving aside the US dollar. The initiative was launched by the president of the Brazil-Argentina Commerce Chamber.
A Venezuelan soldier and a motor cyclist were killed in a standoff with opposition demonstrators who had set up a barricade along an avenue of Caracas, the vice president of the ruling Socialist Party said on Thursday.
A group of UN-appointed human rights experts has asked Venezuela for prompt clarification of allegations of abuse against anti-government protesters. The six independent experts said that they were deeply disturbed by allegations of cases of arbitrary detention of protesters.
Followers of Venezuela's late populist leader Hugo Chavez flooded the streets on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of his death, a sad but welcome distraction for his successor who has faced a month of violent protests.
Vice president Amado Boudou and Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman represented Argentina at Wednesday's ceremonies in honor of the late Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez on his death first anniversary, which was followed by huge crowds in Caracas.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday his government was breaking diplomatic relations with Panama after the country called a special meeting of the Organization of American States, OAS, to address the current state of protests in Caracas.
Venezuela has geared up for commemorations of populist leader Hugo Chávez's death despite continued protests against his successor that have shaken the OPEC member and threatened the legacy of El Comandante.
Foreign minister Elías Jaua said that Caracas will not accept international mediation in the current situation faced by Venezuela but nevertheless thanked Uruguay's president Jose Mujica for his efforts and knowledge about what's going on in his country.