Foreign Ministers from countries throughout the Americas met in the Peruvian capital Lima on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing crisis in Venezuela. Diplomats from across the region collectively condemned the "breakdown of democratic order" in the country. CGTN Dan Collyns reports from Lima.

 

Foreign ministers from Chile, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina as well as Canada and Carribbean nations such as Jamaica convened in Peru. An urgent meeting called by Lima to discuss what action to take following Venezuela election of a special assembly to rewrite the country constitution. The host nation foreign minister did not mince words.

 

RICARDO LUNA PERUVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER The establishment of the constituent assembly in Venezuela has marked a definitive turning point of what we have had until now. In other words, in the blurring of the democratic institution which has been happening recently has culminated in what we now have in Venezuela dictatorship. 

 

The sixteen other nations joined in calling Venezuela's new constituent assembly "illegitimate". The joint statement said it supported a peaceful and negotiated solution to Venezuela political crisis. But it condemned what it called the violation of human rights and civil liberties and the use of violence and repression demanding political prisoners be released. Speaking before the Lima declaration, Chile foreign minister stated country position.

 

HERALDO MUNOZ CHILEAN FOREIGN MINISTER As Chile's foreign minister, we reject any attempt to launch military coups, internal coups or forceful uprisings. We are in favour of dialogue and negotiation.

 

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro called for dialogue with his critical Latin American neighbours.

 

NICOLAS MADURO VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT I believe a regional dialogue is needed out and I propose to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of our America and the powerful leadership of its countries - out of respect for Venezuela - let a dialogue begin with the governments of Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina.

 

These ministers may be open for dialogue but they also have vowed to block any Venezuelan candidacy for regional or international organisations, as well as calling on countries selling arms to Venezuela to stop.

 

The consensus was clear in the Lima declaration: democratic order had been broken in Venezuela and the 17 signatory nations would not recognize the newly elected constituent assembly. A clear message to President Maduro that he could find himself increasingly isolated in the region. Dan Collyns, CGTN, Lima.