Washington, (EFE).- The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, praised Colombia’s efforts for Venezuela to return to the Inter-American Human Rights System, but stressed that the government of Nicolás Maduro has not led “advances” on issues of democracy and human rights.
In a press conference prior to the 53rd OAS General Assembly, Almagro said that Venezuela has “open doors” to return to the Inter-American System, from which it left in 2013, but for this it has to be a “democratic country.”
“There are no visible advances either in the democratic functioning of the country or in the protection of human rights, or in the situation of political prisoners or in Justice,” said Almagro, who criticized that in the South American country there is no “separation of powers”.
The Secretary General also remarked that Venezuela has been the protagonist of “the worst migration crisis in the history” of the continent, with seven million people who have fled the country, and stressed that all its institutions have “collapsed.”
However, Almagro assured that he “agrees” with all the initiatives that seek to make Caracas recommit to democracy and the Inter-American Human Rights System, including the proposal of Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
“All contributions are extremely welcome, we support and value them,” he said.
During his visit to the OAS last April, the Colombian president said that he is fighting for Venezuela to return to the Inter-American Human Rights System, which establishes the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
He also proposed “remaking” the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which establishes that all countries in the region must promote democracy.
Almagro opined this Tuesday that this document should be updated because it does not contemplate the challenges that technology poses today.
“Any proposal in good faith and that contributes to make the system stronger is very important,” he declared.
At the press conference, Almagro avoided criticizing Brazil for its attempt to soften a statement that is being prepared for the OAS General Assembly against the government of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua.
The secretary general said that he has “the deepest respect for Brazil’s position,” while stating that the declaration will be “one more effort by the organization to condemn the lack of democracy in Nicaragua and the violations by the regime.”