Statement of the OAS General Secretariat on the Situation in Venezuela

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) welcomes the re-election of the interim President and President of the National Assembly Juan Guaidó, which took place this afternoon within the framework of the law, with the support of 100 parliamentarians and complying with the quorum in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Moreover, the OAS General Secretariat reiterates its condemnation of the fraudulent attempt to strip Juan Guaidó, with the use of violence and intimidation, of his powers as interim President of Venezuela and President of the National Assembly of the country.

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) considers this new attempted usurpation, based on spurious practices, null and void of any legal value, and reiterates the need to maintain adherence to the constitutional norms of the last legitimate institution in the country.

The continuity of interim President Juan Guaidó is supported by Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution and on the basis of the legitimate Supreme Court of Justice.

The OAS General Secretariat demands that the dictatorial regime of Nicolás Maduro refrain from acts of violence against the democratic institutions represented by the interim government of Juan Guaidó and calls for respect for the democratic and political dignity of the parliamentarians of the National Assembly befitting their office.

Therefore, based on respect for constitutional norms, the OAS General Secretariat will continue to recognize interim President Juan Guaidó and his duly appointed cabinet as the legitimate authority of the country.

Democracy is based on the defense and application of essential principles and values that constitute the civil and political rights of the people, as well as the condemnation and rejection of those actions that are at odds with these principles and that violate the rights and trust of the people.