According to former president and former Secretary of the OAS Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, Costa Rica must take the lead and assume a leading role within the Organization of American States (OAS) regarding Venezuela’s suspension as a member country.
The former Secretary General of the OAS explained that the initiative can be raised by Costa Rica at any time, since it can convene the Permanent Council. In fact, even negotiations can be initiated with the other American countries to reach agreements in this regard.
He also pointed out that Venezuela has already been suspended by MERCOSUR, which shows the country’s deterioration.
Rodríguez’ suggestion follows an update on the last year’s report, prepared by current Secretary of the OAS Luis Almagro, on the serious situation that Venezuela is experiencing.
He added that this deterioration in Venezuelans’ life quality hits the democratic system because the Executive has been destroying the National Assembly’s constitutional powers: it was elected in December 2015, and the opposition obtained a majority but it hasn’t been able to fulfill its duty.
Rodríguez said that the dialogue process, that started last year, has not been successful and the Venezuelan government has proved that it has no interest in freeing political prisoners or restoring the National Assembly’s powers.
In this regard, it is important to apply the Democratic Charter of the OAS and to promote Venezuela’s separation from the organization.