U.S.: Venezuela should leave political group

Pompeo calls for suspension from Org. of American States

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday called for Venezuela to be suspended from the Organization of American States for crushing democracy and causing a humanitarian crisis that has driven millions of people from the country.

Pompeo’s remarks at the opening of the OAS general assembly reflected a renewed push to increase the economic and diplomatic cost of what Pompeo called the “dismantling of democracy” under President Nicolás Maduro. Vice President Mike Pence is expected to call for Venezuela’s suspension at a White House reception for OAS members Monday night, in advance of a vote on Tuesday.

“That suspension is not a goal unto itself,” Pompeo said. “But it would show the OAS backs up its words with action, and would send a powerful signal to the Maduro regime — only real elections will allow your government to be included in the family of nations.”

Pompeo’s call for Venezuela’s suspension from the premier political institution representing the Western Hemisphere is shaping up to be a rush to expel it before it withdraws on its own. A year ago, Venezuela said it would withdraw from the organization because of its attacks on the country’s sovereignty, but the process won’t take effect until next April.

Though previous efforts to pressure Maduro have failed, the anger by the United States and other countries in the region sharpened after Maduro won re-election last month in what was widely regarded as a vote marked by low turnout and improprieties. Pompeo has labeled it a sham, and the U.S. and other nations have refused to recognize it.

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro has been a vocal critic of Maduro and has urged stern action against his government for the past two years. But Venezuela has maintained enough support from a handful of small countries in the OAS to block previous attempts to suspend it.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza defiantly criticized the OAS as part of a “corporation” led by the United States to undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty.

“We have moral authority. You do not have moral authority,” he said, citing U.S. invasions of Panama in 1989 and the Dominican Republic in 1965.

Arreaza accused the U.S. of fostering violence that has accompanied protests and the deprivation caused by sanctions, and mocked U.S. offers of humanitarian aid.

“You impose economic sanctions and then you offer your help to wash your hands,” he said. “The U.S. has been perpetrating a coup d’etat against Venezuela for 20 years.

“We are free. We are sovereign. And no imperialist will intervene in our country and hinder our people from voting for their own authorities and having their own democracy.”