The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) unanimously condemned on Monday the arrest of Venezuelan opposition legislator Edgar Zambrano, vice president of the National Assembly, arrested by the government of Nicolás Maduro after a failed military uprising against him.
As no objections have been heard, this draft resolution (…) is approved by consensus,”
announced Ambassador Carlos Trujillo, representative of the United States, which currently holds the presidency of the council, at the end of a session in which a dozen of the 35 members of the OAS strongly repudiated what happened.
Zambrano was arrested last Wednesday by the Venezuelan intelligence services. Previously, the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), akin to Maduro, had impeached Zambrano and nine other legislator for treason and conspiracy.
The resolution, which demands the immediate release of Zambrano, also reaffirmed the rejection of the OAS
to the violation of the parliamentary immunity of the legialtors of the National Assembly of Venezuela, legitimately constituted through the popular vote, since this is a violation of the Rule of Law and the division of powers.”
The initiative was promoted by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the United States, Paraguay and Peru, seven of the 54 countries that see as illegitimate the re-election of Maduro and recognize the parliamentary chief Juan Guaidó as interim president with the objective of heading a government of transition and organize new elections.
The permanent mission of Venezuela to the OAS is headed by Gustavo Tarré, a delegate of Guaidó recognized as Venezuelan representative by the permanent council on April 9th.
Maduro’s delegation to the OAS withdrew from the body on April 27th, formaliing the departure announced two years earlier by the dictator, who believes that the regional bloc is part of a campaign led by Washington to “intervene” Venezuela.