Organization of American States must die: Venezuelan president

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday intensified his criticism of the Organization of American States (OAS) and said the entity, based in Washington, must die.

"The OAS must die, and die in peace. I wish its secretary general, Luis Almagro, becomes the grave digger of the OAS," Maduro said.

The comment followed statements by Almagro, who said Monday in an interview with a Colombian magazine that legislative elections at the end of the year in Venezuela deserve a "recognized guarantor" like his organization and offered to observe the elections.

Since 2005, Venezuela has banned electoral observation missions save the accompaniment mission of the Union of South American Nations.

Accompaniment in an election means to invite foreign individuals to witness election day, while the purpose of observation is to allow international organizations to comprehensively assess the electoral process.

"Venezuela will have free and fair elections, with or without the OAS," said the Venezuelan leader.

Maduro criticized Almagro's comments on Venezuela and said he is being like his predecessor, Jose Miguel Insulza, who was a fierce critic of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

The OAS has expressed concern about the situation of alleged political prisoners in Venezuela, referring to opposition leaders who led violent nationwide protests in 2014 that left 43 dead and over 800 injured.

Maduro's government has asked the OAS not to interfere in Venezuela's internal affairs and respect international law.

Several Latin American leaders have called for the end of the OAS, saying it is an organization that only defends the interests of the United States in its ties with the region. Endi