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The Organization of American States (OAS) urged this Saturday that the United States and Venezuela “prevent further escalation” and support a peaceful resolution to the crisis, following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his transfer to New York to appear before U.S. justice.
In an official statement released after 4:30 PM on Saturday, the Secretary General of the OAS, Albert Ramdin, stated that the resolution of the conflict must arise from the will of the Venezuelan people “within the institutional framework and respecting the Constitution.”
The hemispheric organization did not condemn the intervention; it merely announced the convening of a meeting of the Permanent Council to discuss the military incursion by the United States and the detention of Maduro.
Ramdin emphasized that the body's priority is to "prevent further escalation of tensions" and to "ensure a peaceful resolution," while urging all parties to "adhere to International Law" and to seek the "peaceful settlement of disputes."
The democratic legitimacy and lasting stability can only be achieved through peaceful processes, with inclusive dialogue and institutional strengthening, stated the Secretary-General, in a statement that emphasized the need for “governance based on the will of the Venezuelan people.”
However, the statement received harsh criticism on social media and in diplomatic circles, where it was accused of being "timid, ambiguous, and complacent" towards the United States.
"No one expected more from you; practically everyone spoke out except the OAS. So don’t complain when other countries look at you with disdain," wrote the political scientist @j_olar on the platform X.
Other users accused the organization of maintaining its traditional alignment with Washington. “They almost thank the gringos for bombing Venezuela. The OAS is useless,” criticized @dicabesu.
The user @LuisMed62965574 criticized the lack of an explicit condemnation: “The OAS, as always, on the wrong side of history. The bare minimum position regarding what happened in Venezuela is a condemnation.”
The Dominican Antonio Peña Mirabal joked by quoting former president Joaquín Balaguer: “I am neither in favor nor against, but rather the opposite.” He stated that the declaration was drafted “with the care of not offending sensibilities in the United States.”
So far, the OAS has not condemned the military operation by the United States that resulted in the capture of Maduro, who was taken to the Southern District of New York to face charges of narco-terrorism and criminal conspiracy.
The OAS statement contrasts with that of the UN, which on Saturday morning expressed its "deep alarm" over the "recent escalation in Venezuela" and warned that this situation could have "concerning implications for the region."
The UN announced that it will convene "urgently on Monday" to discuss the matter with member countries at the request of Colombia.
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