During many years, Venezuela has been a member of the Organization of American States (OAS). The website of the OAS establishes that “since 1948, the goal of the member nations in creating the OAS was to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence". A country that is a member of the Organization of American States believes that this democratic international organization always follows its original goals, but it’s wrong sometimes. After analyzing the huge political and social problem in Venezuela, we have seen how the Venezuelan people have not received support facing this current situation as a member of this international organization. The instability in Venezuela and the threat of civil war are causing a polarized politically, own lack of governance, and over out-of-control inflation (Berger, 2014). Facing these political and economic crises, Venezuelan government has a difficult time creating coherent policies. Additionally, this polarized situation is highly worrying, but more worrying is to see how the OAS' goal has been distorted by wishes of some countries member. Within a passive behavior the OAS has taken a long sleep, yet they have to wake up and doing something for democracy and human rights in Venezuela (Canton, 2013). More critics believe the OAS’ acts have been unacceptable for the following arguments: when their personal interests are above the Organization of American States purpose, they become in a gentlemen club, and when they has kept in silent while Venezuela continues the struggle for democracy and peace, and the Venezuela protests have suffered human rights violations.
The OAS has become an international of the gentlemen club where some countries members are making personal business. The argument over making personal business has been strongly questioned by many international leaders because a majority of OAS members, many of whom are allies or clients of the oil-rich Venezuela (De Cordoba, 2014). Another argument was appreciated during the last session in Washington, when Maria Corina Machado an opposition lawmaker wanted to talk in this session about human-rights abuses by the Venezuelan government against a six-week-old protest movement, but some countries member denied her voice right. Member states voted 22 to 11 to bar the media from the day's session, a strange event for the organization whose meetings are normally a public session. Maria’s presence was strongly blocked by a majority of OAS members, many of whom are allies or clients of the oil-rich Venezuela (De Cordoba, 2014). In what was widely viewed as an attempt to prevent Ms. Machado from addressing the body.
In contrast, during the event of the organization were the others 11 countries which have stand up their position facing the Venezuelan crisis. They were The U.S., Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Honduras, Costa Rica, Colombia, Paraguay and Chile. All these countries supported opening session and Ms. Machado's presence (De Cordoba 2003).
Behind a big silence and lack of credibility lies the Organization of American States State which has become the center of many and harsh criticisms in the last weeks. According to the article published by Berger, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen called it "unconscionable that the member states at the OAS find it difficult to stand up for the people of Venezuela.” This international organization was created with the purposes to support the democracy of the American continent when it is under threat, but until now, the OAS didn’t stand up a firm position or proposal facing the current Venezuelan crisis. The increased focus on OAS’s acts is not surprising because in a recent interview with Chile's El Mercurio newspaper, Insulza said that “the OAS would never intervene in Venezuela while he was the secretary-general.” This type of comment is really embarrassing coming from the head of this organization. According to the article published by De Cordoba, “Many analysts say part of the responsibility for the OAS's paralysis lies with Secretary-general José Miguel Insulza, a Chilean diplomat.” The OAS is an institution that has not been effective when in Latin America countries have problems with their democracy. Facing the OAS’ behavior, “further reforms are needed. We can no longer stand idly by and let the OAS self-destruct into irrelevance due to its feckless Secretary General and some member states that fail to support democratic principles.” suggested Ros-Lehtinen.
For the last two months, regrettably, the Venezuelan protests have suffered human rights violations. The human rights violations that have been committed in the country and political persecution has increased in the last month of protests in Venezuela, putting the case of the arrest of Leopoldo López and Daniel Ceballos mayors and Enzo Scarano. “Human-rights activists said the day's session served as a referendum on the OAS itself, which has been strongly criticized for its failure to take an active role in mediating Venezuela's political crisis.” says De Cordoba. The Organization of American States has to play a more active role in Venezuela because there are many cases with human rights violations. Waves of arrests continue steadily and complaints procedures across the country agree. OAS has reminded silent before huge protest and manifestations and violations of human rights. Biden suggested to a Chilean newspaper that the government was using armed vigilantes against protesters (Berge, 2014) that support the human rights violations. Additionally, Venezuelan opposition leader has visited some parliaments as Brazil, Peru, and the European Union in order to discuss alleged human-rights abuses by the Venezuelan government against a six-week-old protest movement. (De Cordoba, 2014).
In short, while revising the OEA functions, and goals, I believe that the OEA functions and responsibilities require being analysis deeply by all countries membership. The Secretary General of OAS has been José Miguel Insulza, who should leave from his current responsibility if he had had personal interest because "The credibility of the organization is in serious question by any credible observer," said José Miguel Vivanco, director of the Americas division of Human Rights Watch. This situation is embarrassment because it is a right and duty to protect Venezuelan people as a member of the OAS. The OAS’ duties are to work on the solution of political, judicial, and economic problems with its membership. However, in the last week, the OAS has done sightless to find a potential solution or constructive dialog between the government and Venezuelan against.
Reference
De Cordoba, J. (2014, March 21,). Regional Body for Americas at Center of Venezuela Showdown. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304026304579453831436990584
Berger, J. (2014, March 11). Venezuela 'sham' resolution renews US scorn for Organization of American States. Fox News. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/11/venezuela-sham-resolution-renews-us-scorn-for-organization-american-states/
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