OAS passes resolution to vote on suspending Venezuela

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Europe

The Organization of American States (OAS) on Tuesday passed a resolution to call an extraordinary assembly to vote on suspension of Venezuela's membership.

The resolution was passed as 19 member states of the OAS general assembly voted in favor, four against and 11 abstained.

Jorge Arreaza speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the OAS 48 General Assembly in the OAS Main Building, in Washington, DC on June 4, 2018. /VCG Photo

In response, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said Venezuela rejected the assembly's decision that would enable the United States to continue its "economic war" and "military intervention" against President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government.

However, Venezuela said last year that it had started a two-year process to pull out of the OAS.

Maduro speaks during a meeting in Caracas on June 4, 2018. /VCG Photo‍

Maduro was sworn into a second term last month after winning the reelection by a wide margin. His term will conclude in 2025.

(Cover: Jorge Arreaza speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the OAS 48 General Assembly in the OAS Main Building, in Washington, DC. on June 4, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency