The failure of the OAS resolution against Maduro and the role of Haiti among the opponents
In an increasingly complex geopolitical context, U.S. efforts to rally international opposition to alleged electoral fraud in Venezuela are facing major obstacles. Major global organizations, such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the European Union (EU), initially showed a willingness to strongly condemn President Nicolás Maduro. However, allies of the Venezuelan regime quickly moved to defend him.
In Europe, the pro-authoritarian Hungarian government blocked an EU statement expressing concern about electoral “irregularities” in Venezuela. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell eventually issued the statement in his own name.
In Latin America, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia have led the charge at the OAS to defend Maduro. These three countries, although democratically elected, adopt ambivalent postures, reflecting a growing regional influence of authoritarian models promoted by Russia, China, and Iran. This reluctance to follow U.S. directives underscores a historical distrust of U.S. policies.
The OAS Permanent Council failed Wednesday to pass a resolution condemning Maduro, with 17 members voting in favor, 11 abstaining (including Brazil and Colombia), and five delegations, including Mexico, not attending the session. Although no member voted against the resolution, an absolute majority of 18 votes was needed for its approval. Of the 17 countries that voted in favor of the resolution, Haiti, the only OAS member whose current leader is neither elected nor legitimate, is joining the United States in denouncing electoral “fraud” in Venezuela, not recognizing the authority of Nicolás Maduro.
This situation reflects the prudence of the presidents of Colombia, Mexico and Brazil, who seek to carefully manage their diplomatic relations and national interests. Their approach is situated in a framework where statements on Venezuela have significant implications for their bilateral relations and their positions in the regional and global context.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose term is ending soon, remains faithful to the tradition of non-intervention in Mexican foreign policy. As for Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, they share geographical and ideological affinities with Maduro, although they initially contested the latter’s victory.
Despite the reluctance to vote for the OAS resolution, these leaders maintain complex relationships with global authoritarian regimes, such as China and Russia, which influences their positioning towards Venezuela. For example, China uses Mexico to circumvent certain American economic regulations, taking advantage of trade agreements such as the USMCA.
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