Venezuela's leader encourages public demonstration following declaration to categorically dismiss OAS.
Venezuela's political landscape is heating up as the opposition coalition has submitted over 1.85 million signatures demanding a referendum to recall President Nicolas Maduro. The economy, already in dire straits, has plummeted further along with global crude prices over the past two years, leading to increasing signs of social unrest.
The crisis has been aggravated by electricity shortages, forcing rolling blackouts, school closures, and a dramatically shortened work week for public sector employees. Shortages of basic consumer goods like soap and toilet paper have led to looting, adding to the turmoil.
The opposition's legislative speaker, Henry Ramos Allup, has urged the international community to step up pressure on Maduro's government. In response, OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro has called for an urgent meeting on the Venezuelan crisis, warning that democracy is at risk.
Almagro has repeatedly sparred with Maduro, labelling him a "dictator." He has also accused the Maduro government of being at risk of falling into a situation of illegitimacy. In a recent move, the opposition-controlled legislature requested Almagro to invoke the Inter-American Democratic Charter to assess whether the Maduro government violated standards.
In a bold move, Almagro requested a meeting of the OAS's 34 member states from June 10 to 20. Maduro, however, has rejected this call, vowing to sue the congressional leadership for "treason" and "usurping" executive duties. He has also called for a demonstration on June 1 against the Organization of American States.
Maria Isabel Sanchez, a prominent figure, has stated that the international community, including the OAS, cannot turn a blind eye to the grave humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, including shortages of medicine and food, human rights violations, and a non-existent democracy. She added that an explosion in Venezuela will affect the entire region.
As polls indicate that nearly 7 in 10 Venezuelans want Maduro to go, the opposition welcomes Almagro's move and continues to push for a referendum to recall the unpopular president. The future of Venezuela hangs in the balance as the political drama unfolds.
