The Organization of American States (OAS) requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant against the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.
This petition, led by the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, is based on accusations of crimes against humanity allegedly committed by Maduro, by ordering the repression of protesters following the elections on July 28, 2024.
In an extraordinary session of the Permanent Council of the OAS in Washington, Almagro argued that the time for justice for Venezuela has come, and a resolution was presented that obliges the Venezuelan government to show the results of the elections that declared Nicolás Maduro the winner.
However, the Organization was unable to reach a consensus on Wednesday to pressure the Venezuelan authorities. Among the countries that abstained from the resolution are Brazil and Colombia, whose leaders had previously called for transparency from the Caracas authorities.
Mexico had anticipated that it would not be present. A total of 17 members of the OEA Permanent Council voted in favor, 11 abstained, and five were absent, including Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela itself. It is worth noting that there were no votes against.
The Cuban government accused the OAS of being subordinate to alleged interests of the United States and reaffirmed its support for Maduro.
"In an unusual manner and without regard to the internal regulations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela or any other nation, the United States and some members of the OAS attempted to impose on its Permanent Council a resolution urging the Venezuelan electoral authority to recount the votes cast on Sunday, July 28, with the observation of international organizations, a demand that is not made of any country," says the MINREX statement.
Almagro's request to the International Criminal Court comes after the National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed Maduro's victory in last Sunday's elections.
This victory has been widely questioned by opponents and a significant part of the international community, which demands verification of the results through the ballots that the government has refused to present.
The OAS's reaction comes at a time when the Venezuelan crisis is intensifying, with reports of at least 17 protesters killed in the demonstrations that have followed the elections.
Almagro was forceful in describing the situation and recalled the words of the Venezuelan leader in the days leading up to the elections. "Maduro announced a bloodbath and he is fulfilling it," he said.
On Wednesday, the White House National Security spokesperson, John Kirby, noted that the patience of the United States government and the international community is wearing thin, thus expecting Venezuelan authorities to publish the records of the elections and demonstrate the announced results.
The Carter Center issued a statement warning that the elections in Venezuela lacked sufficient electoral integrity, do not meet international standards, and "cannot be considered democratic."
The situation in Venezuela remains critical, and the OAS's request to the ICC marks a new chapter in the fight for justice and democracy in the South American country. The international community is closely monitoring the next moves of international institutions regarding this sensitive issue.
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