US Hopes for ‘Group of Friends’ to Help Venezuela

She said Almagro had demonstrated impartiality by meeting with leaders of Venezuela’s opposition before the council meeting convened on Thursday.

Maduro may be hoping the meeting eases global pressure on him, analysts and diplomats said, while Washington likely calculates a rapprochement undermines Venezuela’s constant blame on “imperialist” foes for the nation’s problems.

Maduro calls the opposition’s recall campaign a fraud meant to destabilize the country and says his government is the victim of an “economic war” led by business leaders with the support of Washington.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – A senior US diplomat is expected to meet with President Nicolas Maduro during a visit to Venezuela meant to help jumpstart dialogue with the socialist-run nation that faces mounting political strife and economic hardship.

The talks in Caracas came a day before Organization of American States representatives will discuss a proposal that could lead to Venezuela’s suspension from the 35-member regional bloc.

The meeting comes amid a worsening social and political crisis in Venezuela.

A senior USA diplomat met with Venezuela’s socialist president Wednesday, apparently hoping to prevent a humanitarian disaster and ease a political crisis in this deeply polarized nation.

The United States has criticized Maduro’s government for jailing critics and blocking the opposition-controlled congress as part of attempts to squelch unrest caused by growing shortages of food and many other key goods as well as triple-digit inflation.

Almagro presented delegates with a report that describes the political and economic woes of Venezuela.

Maduro gave a less than conciliatory televised address in which he accused U.S. President Barack Obama of trying to interfere in Venezuela’s internal affairs.

“Fundamental freedoms, human rights and democracy do not only exist when it is convenient”, he said. “What precedent will this set?” “We are compelled to indicate problems wherever they may exist, especially so in a hard context”, Almagro said.

Accusing Almagro of an agenda against Venezuela, Rodriguez said: “If you were a McDonald’s employee, listen to me, never would you be voted employee of the month”.

“This organization is being used to attack Venezuela”, Rodriguez said, “It is a clear infringement of the rules of this organization”.

Through it all, Venezuela has kept oil flowing north uninterrupted, and is the third biggest USA supplier after Saudi Arabia and Canada, according to the latest US data.

Spain’s former prime minister sought more time from USA and Latin American leaders Tuesday to work out a resolution to Venezuela’s political impasse between its government and the opposition-led National Assembly.

“Given that the National Elections Council has put up every possible barrier to this process. we evidently had to seek donations to be able to transport these people”, Smolansky said in a press conference on Tuesday.