South American nations have failed to pass a resolution aimed at ending months of violent demonstrations in Venezuela. The oil-rich nation has been engulfed by a political and economic crisis.
The Organization of American States failed on Monday to agree on a resolution to quell violent anti-government protests in Venezuela, DW reported.
Discussions among OAS foreign ministers in Mexico fell apart when a proposed resolution calling for representative democracy in the oil-rich nation failed to win the required number of votes to pass. Representatives from Venezuela stormed out of the talks, claiming other nations would soon follow.
Venezuela has been engulfed by a political crisis since the beginning of April, spurred by a decision by Venezuela’s Supreme Court to strip the opposition-controlled legislative branch of its powers. The decision was seen by many as a blatant power grab by President Nicolas Maduro and his allies.
Although Maduro later reversed the decision, protests have continued in response to the country’s desperate economic situation and depleting supply of basic goods, such as food and medicine.
Violent demonstrations have led to more than 70 deaths and 1,300 injuries. Maduro also plans to hold elections for the opposition-controlled National Assembly next month to revamp the country’s constitution.
Critics are determined to stop the vote, alleging that the elections are merely an attempt by the president to reform the assembly in his favor and ultimately dissolve the body.
The OAS proposal called on Maduro to “reconsider” a call for the assembly to rewrite the country’s constitution. It received 20 votes of support and five against.
Eight countries, including Venezuela, abstained, causing it to fall short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass.
