- Title: Mexico says seeking consensus resolution on Venezuela at OAS
- Date: 19th June 2017
- Summary: CANCUN, MEXICO (JUNE 19, 2017) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** GENERAL VIEW OF MEXICO'S FOREIGN MINISTER LUIS VIDEGARAY AND OAS CHIEF LUIS ALMAGRO ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE VIDEGARAY AND ALMAGRO TAKING THEIR SEATS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICO'S FOREIGN MINISTER, LUIS VIDEGARAY, SAYING: "We believe there is real deterioration of democratic conditions in Venezuela. And as it has been said on multiple occasions - in statements from the Vatican and many others - it is essential that the process of dialogue generates conditions that were not possible, which includes respect of the National Assembly, as well as an electoral schedule for elections that have not happened but should have, that political prisoners be released and that there be a humanitarian channel. And now, based on recent events, we believe there should be some reflection on this proposal of a constituent assembly, that instead of generating consensus, it is only polarizing Venezuela's society more and for that reason we believe that the Venezuelan government should take under consideration this constituent assembly project." GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OAS SECRETARY GENERAL, LUIS ALMAGRO, SAYING: "It is very clear that Venezuela needs an integral electoral schedule that includes national elections. Venezuela needs to back away from the call for what's being called a constituent assembly. Venezuela needs to respect the powers of the national assembly. Venezuela needs to have independent judicial authorities. Venezuela needs to free the political prisoners and they should end the torture they use to victimise those political prisoners. And Venezuela needs an international humanitarian channel that can provide medicine and food to the Venezuelan people. Until these topics are resolved, these problems will continue to persist and for that reason, it would be prudent to resolve them as soon as possible and that Venezuela recover its institutions as soon as possible." VIDEGARAY AND ALMAGRO SHAKING HANDS AND LEAVING
- Embargoed: 3rd July 2017 15:58
- Keywords: Mexico OAS Organization of American States Venezulea Luis Videgaray Luis Almagro
- Location: CANCUN, MEXICO
- City: CANCUN, MEXICO
- Country: Venezuela
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016LY33UR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: LIVEU QUALITY
Mexico will seek support for a resolution on Venezuela at a meeting of the Organization of American States that generates consensus, foreign minister Luis Videgaray said on Monday (June 19).
OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, speaking at the same news conference as the meeting began in the Mexican resort of Cancun, said there is a constitutional crisis in Venezuela.
Videgaray said the Venezuela resolution should be in favour of representative democracy.
A recent wave of protests has left over 60 people dead. Two months of protests against Maduro's government, as opposition supporters demand elections, freedom for jailed activists, and foreign humanitarian aid, have convulsed the South American OPEC nation.
Videgaray has been sharply criticized by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government but has nonetheless pledged to use all diplomatic channels to help reach a peaceful political solution to the bloody crisis in Venezuela. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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