Spotlight: Venezuelans come out to support government in facing OAS potential suspension

The Venezuelan public have united with their government in facing a potential suspension from the Organization of American States (OAS), calling for more time and dialogue.

"That's not the case now," said Venezuelan citizen German Valencia. "Honestly speaking, what would the OAS win if Venezuela gets suspended? Venezuela is going through a crisis and what we need is dialogue and solutions. The OAS plays a very important role in this. Why not allow us more time? People do not expect miracles."

The 34-member organization was gearing up to debate Venezuela's economic crisis and commitment to democratic ideals on Thursday at its headquarters in Washington.

Its decision could potentially lead to the country's suspension from the hemispheric bloc, though the United States, which has historically wielded overwhelming influence within the organization, has said it is not in favor of the move.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon met in Caracas with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to discuss the South American country's political conflict and violent protests.

The "secretary general has taken a meddlesome attitude towards us. It has not respected the Venezuelan government as it should," Caracas resident Jose Gregorio Villegas said.

The OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, who has been unusually outspoken in criticizing Maduro, advocated the idea of applying the Inter-American Democratic Charter (IDC) to Venezuela.

The IDC was created in 2001 in order to allow the OAS to strengthen and uphold democratic institutions among its members. It dictates how the OAS can react if a member government impairs human rights.

Resident Luis Blanco said that opposition forces were locked in a fierce battle with the ruling Socialist Party while campaigning for a recall referendum to unseat Maduro, but average Venezuelans back the government.

"We Venezuelans support the government ... especially in this critical situation," Blanco said.

Venezuela's Constitution allows for a recall referendum on the president, but the lengthy process cannot be completed this year, officials have said.

While Almagro advocated the idea of applying the IDC to Venezuela for allegedly breaking democratic principles, countries like Cuba condemned the proposal as running counter to the OAS' ideals.

"There are other member countries and delegates who want to seek solutions for Venezuela through dialogue," said resident Jose Gregorio Villegas, adding that "we Venezuelans can solve our problems" with the help and support of the region.

The OAS was established in April 1948 with the stated goal of strengthening peace and security of the American continent, eradicating extreme poverty, consolidating democracy and ensuring the peaceful settlement of disputes among member countries.

Political observer Jose Antonio Egido said while Thursday's OAS decision might not be a vote of confidence for Venezuela's government, it is also unlikely to be a boon for the opposition.

"That is undeniably an unexpected political victory for us and for our president Nicolas Maduro," said Egido. Endi