Americas bloc meets but fails to vote on Venezuela

By María Paz Salas

SANTIAGO, Chile (AA) – A special session by the Organization of American States (OAS) to decide the fate of Venezuela in the regional bloc ended without a vote on the measure.

The group left open the debate on whether to invoke the organization’s Democratic Charter that could suspend Venezuela from the bloc.

It is unclear when a vote on the measure would take place.

The 34 members attended the meeting requested by Secretary General Luis Almagro, who is attempting to apply the move to exert pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

The South American nation has been wrestling with shortages of basic food, medicine and other supplies that have been exacerbated by the fall in crude oil prices and civil and political unrest.

Maduro has blamed much of the country’s woes on the U.S. and its regional allies he accuses of attempting to instigate a coup.

Almagro would need 18 votes in favor in order to institute measures such as sending diplomatic mission to the South American nation, and 24 votes to suspend Venezuela’s membership from the body.

At its headquarters in Washington, Almagro presented a 132-page report on the economic, political and social situation in Venezuela.

“The situation that Venezuela faces today is the result of the actions they have undertaken and that they are still undertaking from power,” Almagro said during his presentation.

He also expressed the need for support from the region in a recall opposition lawmakers are pushing to oust Maduro from power.

“The council should support the will of the Venezuelan people in their call for a recall,” he said.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez opened the session by asking to cancel the meeting, saying that she considers the measure “a coupe by Almagro against the organization and Venezuela.”

Rodriguez’ petition was voted down 20-12 with two abstentions, indicating Venezuela’s declining influence in the region.