The 47th annual OAS general assembly ended on June 21st and as predicted, all eyes were on Venezuela. While the meeting of Foreign Minister’s ended in a stalemate, efforts to condemn Venezuela continue. In case you missed any of the action, here are some of the highlights:
June 19th
- Meeting of Foreign Ministers on Venezuela
- Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez walked out of the OAS meeting of Foreign Ministers stating “not only do we not recognize this meeting, we do not recognize any resolution coming out of it.”
- The meeting of Foreign Ministers failed once again at passing a resolution on Venezuela. On Monday, Foreign Ministers from the 34 member states gathered to vote on the two draft resolutions left pending from the meeting in May. A draft needed 23 votes in its favor in order to pass, but neither resolution met the requirement. The first draft resolution by CARICOM states, calling for Venezuela to reconsider withdrawing from the OAS, received eight votes in favor, 11 abstentions, 14 against, and one absent (Venezuela). The second draft by the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Panama, and Peru urged Venezuela not to convene a constituent assembly that would rewrite the Venezuelan constitution received 20 votes in favor, eight abstentions, five rejections, and one absent (Venezuela).
- The session will resume discussion at a later, unspecified date.
- Rex Tillerson did not attend the meeting in Cancun, instead decided to focus on issues in the Middle East.
June 20th,
- During the First Plenary Session,
- Honduras criticized Venezuela for focusing more on retaliating when member countries raised questions and concerns, rather than on finding solutions on the situation in Venezuela.
- Argentina believes Venezuelan citizens must address a solution through dialogue, under the principles of the OAS. It also reaffirmed its commitment to the democratic values that are being threatened in Venezuela.
- Venezuela puts to question the United States’ commitment to human rights both domestically and abroad. Claiming the U.S. needs to address issues of police brutality, anti-immigration policies and healthcare policies threatening millions of citizens. The U.S. fired back by saying “my response to the state [Venezuela] summarized in three words: distractions, distortions and irrelevancies.”
- The day ended with the OAS’ first panel on “Opportunities for Women’s Leadership.” Where chancellor’s from all member states discussed issues of the inclusion of women in decision making process’.
June 21st
- In a last-ditch effort to condemn Venezuela’s government, a group of nations led by the United States, Mexico and other regional allies are trying to include a declaration on Venezuela, in a generalized resolution on human rights. There are plans on writing a strongly worded declaration statement criticizing the Venezuelan government.
- During the Third Plenary Session
- At the OAS three new members were elected to join the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights: Antonia Urrejola (Chile), Joel Hernandez (Mexico) and Cristina Piovesan (Brazil).
- The U.S. draft resolution to cap member state payments to the OAS to 50 percent was approved.
- Four other draft resolutions on progress towards accountability, efficiency and effectiveness and resolve in the OAS general secretariat; human rights; migration in americas and international law were approved.
