America’s regional bloc decries halt to Maduro recall

By Senabri Silvestre

SANTO DOMINGO, Dom. Rep. (AA) – Twelve members of the Organization of American States (OAS), including the U.S., on Saturday expressed "deep concern" for the suspension of a recall process against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The decision by the National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE) "affects the possibility of establishing a dialogue between the government and the opposition", the regional bloc’s members said in a statement.

They reiterated a call for national dialogue for “durable solutions” toward social stability in a country reeling from full-blown economic and political crises.

OAS chief Luis Almagro encouraged countries in the region to take "concrete actions to defend democracy in Venezuela".

The CNE decided Thursday to stop the collection of nearly 4 million signatures to activate a referendum against Maduro.

The electoral body said it “complies by the measures ordered by the courts [and] has issued instructions to postpone the recollection process until further judicial instruction”, citing fraud complaints filed in court by the government.

The opposition is running out of time to oust Maduro and denounced the suspension of the campaign.

If the revoke vote takes place before Jan. 10, and Maduro loses, Venezuelans would go to the polls to elect a new president.

According to the Constitution, however, a losing vote for Maduro after that date would allow the president to select a vice president to lead the country.

With the suspension, it is unlikely Maduro will face a revoke before the end of the year.

The OAS statement was signed by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, United States, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.

Venezuela continues to grapple with economic and political woes as citizens complain of a lack of basic supplies and medicine. The situation has fueled calls for a recall of Maduro.

The opposition cites mismanagement and corruption for the country’s woes while Maduro has blamed the U.S. and its regional allies for the crisis.