–against moves to suspend it from OAS

By Svetlana Marshall
THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has come out in defence of Venezuela, saying that the oil rich country should not be suspended from the Organisation of American States (OAS).Despite opposition by Venezuela and allies such as Ecuador and Bolivia, more than 50 per cent of the member states have voted for the OAS Democratic Charter to be invoked on Venezuela, a move which could eventually lead to the country’s suspension from the OAS.

“We don’t support the suspension of any member from the OAS. We don’t agree with going back to what was done in order to expel Cuba in the 1960s from the OAS,” PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee told reporters on Tuesday during a press conference at Freedom House.

“All issues must be settled on the basis of discussions within the organization. It must be settled through dialogue and debate,” Rohee added.

However, while addressing the Permanent Council, OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro said the Nicolás Maduro Government ought to take full responsibility for Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis. As he led the charge against the South American nation, Almagro contended that the Maduro Administration has violated basic democratic principles, which had altered the constitutional order of that country.

RAPIDLY DETERIORATING
The situation in Venezuela is rapidly deteriorating as it continues to suffer from its worst economic crisis. According to reports, ordinary people in the oil-rich country are regularly going without food.

Three-quarter empty supermarkets are being ransacked by angry, hungry mobs. Food is now being transported under armed guard, and basic necessities are being rationed. People have to queue for hours and sometimes overnight on their assigned days to receive staples like rice and cooking oil.

‘We are like a bomb’: food riots show that the Venezuela crisis has gone beyond politics. By IMF figures, it has the world’s worst negative growth rate (-8%), and the worst inflation rate (482%). The unemployment rate is 17% but is expected to climb to near 30% in the coming few years.