Mercosur: Disagreement about Venezuela’s situation
Is there one flag missing?
During the last Mercosur’s summit, in Mendoza, Argentina, the chancellor of said country removed the Venezuelan flag from the platform where all others were standing. The symbolic act was a demonstration of the disapproval towards the political, economic, and social situation in Venezuela. Even though, the absence of the flag sends a message about the organization’s point of view, it does not mean that the South American country is no longer a member. However, there has been a suspension of the nation’s participation in the meetings, as well as in commercial relationships, because of the constant violations of democracy and human rights.
Nevertheless, not everyone agreed on the removal of the Venezuelan national symbol. The president of Bolivia Evo Morales defended the popular election of President Nicolas Maduro and said that United States seems to possess the intention of coup in the Latin American country. For that reason, he didn’t sign the joint declaration emitted during the Summit. The document signed by the presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Chile recommend President Maduro’s administration to “not carry out any initiative that could further divide the Venezuelan society or aggravate institutional conflicts”.
Uruguay’s President Tabaré Vazquez adopted a friendlier position in regard to Venezuela and suggested that other diplomatic strategies should be found before giving an ultimatum to the South American country. “Uruguay stretches its hand to try to find a way that, through respectful dialogue, can bring better times for the Republic and for the beloved Venezuelan people”, President Vazquez stated.
If the tension between the Venezuela’s government and Mercosur continues to the point that the country is expelled, the nation would lose benefits like free transit of citizens, residence and working rights, educational recognition, and commercial routes. Therefore, the removal would contribute to worsen the condition of the Venezuelan people.
Latin American Post | Diana Cárdenas
Copy edited by Susana Cicchetto
