Venezuelan president seeks support of neighbors amid internal unrest
(Vatican Radio) Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro is requesting an emergency meeting
of UNASUR- the Union of South American Countries - as the crisis in his nation continues
to deepen and widen.
Listen to James Blears’ report:
President
Nicolas Maduro made this televised request accompanied by the President of Suriname,
who's the current leader of UNASUR. This organization was formed as an alternative
to the OAS- the Organization of American States. Maduro has just severed diplomatic
and trade ties with Panama, for suggesting that the OAS should discuss Venezuela's
crisis. He accuses the OAS of being dominated by the United States.
A
UNASUR emergency summit could only happen with the agreement of all twelve of its
members. At least some seem to be reluctant to be drawn closer to a burning and corrosive
issue.
Oil rich, but infrastructure poor, Venezuela has been experiencing
protest marches and rallies for more than two months. The opposition who are demonstrating
against the 56 percent annual inflation, widespread shortages, and a breakdown of
law and order, have not accepted talks with Maduro. The political polarization factor
means that a negotiated settlement is unlikely to be home grown. The question now
is the composition of a regional or international forum.