- Title: Venezuelan FM claimes victory after heated OAS meeting
- Date: 21st June 2017
- Summary: CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO (JUNE 20, 2017) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH AMERICAS DIVISION, JOSE MIGUEL VIVANCO, SAYING: "The authorities in Venezuela headed by Maduro and including the foreign minister (Delcy Rodriguez) are used to statements and understandings that are completely absurd. That it (rights issues) is not seen with sincerity and without importance because one day they (Venezuela) announce they are leaving the OAS but they don't miss out on any meetings, whether it be in the permanent council or meetings between foreign ministers, to participate, to insult, to discredit those who criticise Venezuela's record on human rights and liberties."
- Embargoed: 5th July 2017 01:35
- Keywords: Delcy Rodriguez Nicolas Maduro Organziation of American States
- Location: CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO
- City: CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0056M34MYR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Venezuela's Foreign Minister declared victory for the OPEC nation on Tuesday (June 20) for staving off a resolution against it by the Organisation of American States, telling media that the US was left begging at the body's General Assembly.
Governments from across the Americas on Tuesday chastised Venezuela's socialist leadership for its handling of a political and economic crisis, prompting the OPEC nation's Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez to call the critics "lapdogs of imperialism."
The United States, Brazil and 10 other members of the 34-nation OAS issued a letter accusing Venezuela of undermining democracy, failing to feed its people and violating rights.
It called for the release of political prisoners, respect for rights, an election timetable, a "humanitarian channel" to ship food and medicine, and the creation of a group or mechanism to help "effective dialogue among Venezuelans."
The 12 nations also called on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to abandon a July 30 vote for a super-body with powers to rewrite the country's constitution. Critics see Maduro's move as a ploy to hold on to power.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez fired back, criticising Mexico's rights record and highlighting poverty, violence and migration in Honduras and other nations.
Human Rights Watch's director for the Americas told Reuters the situation in Venezuela was deteriorating.
According to reports, 75 people have been killed in protests in Venezuela in recent weeks amidst public anger over food shortages, a flailing economy and rampant crime. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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