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Maduro to take Venezuela's removal from Mercosur to international authorities

Xinhua, December 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro stated Saturday that he would take his country's suspension from the Mercosur bloc, which he called "illegal and disproportionate," to international authorities.

"We have not been found guilty or given a right to defense... this is an illegal action and we will appeal at all international levels," vowed the head of states at an economic summit in the Miraflores presidential palace.

For Maduro, the decision by the other Mercosur founders (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) was a "coup d'etat". However, he focused his anger on the first three, saying "this was a coup by the triple alliance".

When Uruguay finished the rotating presidency of Mercosur in July, it was the only one of the four to support Caracas' right to take the position, while the other three cited opposition due to a burgeoning political crisis and Venezuela not meeting Mercosur norms.

Maduro said he had asked for a personal meeting with Uruguay's President Tabare Vazquez on the expulsion.

He also vowed that he would attend any upcoming Mercosur meetings to defend Venezuela's right.

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay notified Venezuela of its suspension on Friday, for not having complied with Mercosur norms on trade and human rights. Enditem