Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro Tells OAS Head to 'Stick It'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro reacted strongly Tuesday to the decision by Organization of American States Secretary-General Luis Almagro to invoke the body’s democratic charter to “review” the political situation in the South American country, setting the stage for outside intervention.

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“No one will impose any charter in Venezuela," Maduro said at a rally in Caracas. "Mr. Almagro, stick your democratic charter where it fits you…. You must respect Venezuela!”

The Washington-based body on Tuesday presented a 132-page report on the political situation in Venezuela, signed by Almagro, that initiates a process that could end in the suspension of Venezuela from the OAS.

Among other things, OAS is urging that a recall referendum on President Maduro's future be held this year. The body is also demanding the release of what they say are "political prisoners" and a "restoration of a balance of powers in the National Assembly and Supreme Court."

In a statement issued Tuesday, the foreign minister of Venezuela “categorically" rejected the "fraudulent" OAS move.

“Luis Almagro has been biased, with no ethical scruple, he’s with those who are leading a coup, violent and anti-democratic groups of the opposition, with support from international interfering sectors that promote the overthrow of the legitimate and constitutional government of President Nicolas Maduro Moros,” the statement says.

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A former Uruguayan foreign minister, Almagro has been harshly critical of the government of President Maduro. Earlier this month he stepped out of diplomatic protocol and penned a hostile letter to the socialist leader accusing him of spreading lies and sliding toward becoming a “petty dictator.”

Almagro is the first head of the OAS to activate the charter against a member state against the will of its government, a step he takes based on Article 20, which authorizes the secretary-general or any member state to call for an immediate permanent council meeting.