Venezuela

Thursday, August 25th 2016 - 09:14 UTC
Mercosur fractured and in disarray: Venezuela isolated

Mercosur on Wednesday displayed another chapter of its internal disarray, almost farcical, when Venezuela which proclaims the presidency of the group convened a meeting at the Montevideo administrative offices that was only attended by full member Uruguay and aspiring member Bolivia.
Friday, August 19th 2016 - 10:11 UTC
Argentina points to Uruguay for causing a “vacuum” in Mercosur and the current situation

Argentina considers that Uruguay created a “vacuum” in Mercosur when it unilaterally adopted the decision to devolve the block's presidency, and creating an unprecedented situation. Since then Mercosur has been involved in a serious controversy over the transfer of the presidency to Venezuela, which has strongly discredited the South American block.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 06:13 UTC
Uruguay back steps on its claims regarding Brazil and the Mercosur presidency controversy

Uruguay back stepped on its statements referred to Brazil's “bullying with the Mercosur presidency” and admits there was a misunderstanding regarding Brazil's invitation for a joint trade promotion in third countries, according to an official clarification Wednesday release from the Uruguayan foreign ministry.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 03:28 UTC
Nin Novoa's statements are “not compatible with the excellent relations between Brazil and Uruguay”

The Brazilian government said it was deeply disappointed and surprised at statements from Uruguay's foreign minister, which “are not compatible with the excelence of relations between Brazil and Uruguay”, according to an official release from Itamaraty, Brazil's foreign ministry, regarding the controversy over the Mercosur presidency.
Wednesday, August 17th 2016 - 04:56 UTC
Uruguay ambassador summoned to Itamaraty after minister accuses Brazil of “bullying Mercosur presidency”

Brazil summoned Uruguay's ambassador on Tuesday after the neighboring country's foreign minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa accused Brazil of trying to “buy” its vote to block Venezuela from taking the rotating presidency of the Mercosur trade bloc.
Tuesday, August 16th 2016 - 07:17 UTC
Mercosur on collision course: Uruguay rejects collective presidency sponsored by Brazil

Uruguay's Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa said on Monday that he was opposed to the proposal that the Mercosur presidency should be held collectively, as a number of countries are opposed to Venezuela taking over the role. The proposal has been sponsored by Paraguay and Brazil for several weeks, particularly Brazil's Foreign Minister Jose Serra.
Monday, August 15th 2016 - 12:21 UTC
Mercosur Montevideo 23 August meeting to decide sanctions on Venezuela

The coordinators of Mercosur founding members will decide next 23 August at a meeting in Montevideo on the legal measures to be applied on Venezuela, which self proclaimed itself the presidency of the group and is also questioned for not complying with the rules and regulations to be incorporated to the group. In that case Venezuela could lose its full member status.
Thursday, August 11th 2016 - 16:40 UTC
“Moment of truth” for Venezuela's standing in Mercosur

Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay are waiting to see what happens on Friday, 12 August, when Venezuela has to prove that it has complied with all the pending requirements to confirm its Mercosur full membership condition dating back to 2012.
Thursday, August 11th 2016 - 16:35 UTC
Venezuela's attitude not helping to resolve the Mercosur situation, claims Uruguay

“Venezuela is not helping much to resolve” the unprecedented situation of Mercosur, said Uruguay's foreign minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa in reference to Venezuela's self proclaimed presidency of the group and which is rejected point blank by Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay who consider the post vacant.
Wednesday, August 10th 2016 - 05:24 UTC
Venezuela as Mercosur full member faces deadline: Friday 12 August

Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina are waiting for a report on Venezuela´s compliance with the accords agreed in 2012, which has to delivered next Friday 12 August, and could lead the group of three counties deciding the suspension of Caracas as full member of Mercosur. A week and a half later, 23 August, representatives of these countries will be meeting to address the issue.