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Bolivian President Evo Morales lashed out at U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry over comments the secretary made about Venezuela during his intervention Tuesday at the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in the Dominican Republic.
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“John Kerry continues to believe that Latin America is its backyard—and its people their peons—by asking for the recall of (Venezuelan President) Nicolas Maduro,” wrote Morales on his Twitter account.
“Kerry should know we are not anyone's colony. We are sovereign states of the Great Motherland that fights for life and liberation,” concluded the Bolivian leader.
Kerry has expressed his country's support for opposition efforts to oust Maduro from power via a recall referendum. At issue is when the vote will happen, should all the requirements be met, as a vote in 2016 would force snap elections.
Maduro, along with Venezuela's electoral authority, has been adamant that any potential recall vote will have to take place in 2017 after the country's opposition delayed initiating the process. A vote in 2017 means there would not be new elections and the executive vice president would instead serve out the remainder of Maduro's term.
Kerry called on Venezuela to hold the recall vote in a “timely” manner, suggesting the U.S. government would want to see it held in 2016.
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After meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez, Kerry said the U.S. does not support Venezuela's ouster from the OAS.
OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro is pushing for Venezuela to be suspended through the use of the Democratic Charter, but has faced criticism. The lack of support from the U.S. will also greatly undermine Almagro's efforts.
Bolivian President Morales said that he would withdraw Bolivia from the OAS if the body “continued to be used as an instrument by the empire.”
Kerry also said that Venezuela and the U.S. will immediately start talks to ease tensions between the two countries.
The United States will send Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon, a veteran on Latin American diplomacy, as its representative at the talks, Kerry told reporters traveling with him after the regional meeting.
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