Maduro Ecstatic over Venezuela’s Exit from the OAS

HAVANA TIMES – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday lauded the crisis-hit country’s exit from the Organization of American States (OAS), which it regards as representing US interests.

“The brave people mobilize to celebrate our definitive retirement from the ministry of the US colonies – OAS,” Maduro said in a Twitter post. “Venezuela is Free and Independent!”

Maduro’s government initiated the move two years ago.

Earlier this month, the OAS recognized a representative of Venezuela’s self-declared interim president Juan Guaido as the country’s official representative to the organization.

Maduro won a second term in a highly questioned election nearly a year ago and has presided over a massive economic crisis. Guaido and his allies are pressuring the president to resign so early elections can be held.

Meanwhile, Maduro is relying on his growingly close relationship with Russia for financial and military assistance plus support from China and Cuba to stay in power.