2015-04-07 09:17:00

Venezuela under scrutiny ahead of Americas Summit


(Vatican Radio) Venezuela is set to dominate the international agenda at the two day Summit of the Americas, which starts on Friday 10 April. James Blears reports about an epicenter of controversy.

Listen to James Blears’ report:


 

Nineteen former leaders from Latin America and Spain are urging Venezuela to release jailed opposition leaders. The call comes in the lead-up to the Summit of the Americas in Panama which will be attended by current leaders from Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States and Canada.

In Venezuela itself, President Nicolas Maduro says that more than eight million people have signed a petition calling on President Barack Obama to rescind his March 9th  declaration  accusing Venezuela of being an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. security and foreign policy.  The State Department has long since termed Venezuela a regional menace. 

Meanwhile Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos rejects U.S. sanctions against Venezuela. He's calling for dialogue, and mediation by the Unión of South American Nations, better known as UNASUR.  He's also advising a reduction of tensions and for more practical political contact between the Venezuelan Government and opposition groups.

Caracas is accusing Washington of helping activists to plot a coup. The State Department insists this is nonsense, and that a crumbling system is responsible for the crisis. The polar opposites do agree that bi-lateral relaations have now reached a rock bottom - an all time low.








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