On October 22, the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted a resolution on Venezuela, with 21 votes in favor, 4 against and 9 abstentions. The measure warns of the lack of guarantees for the December 6 legislative elections and the incursions made by President Nicolas Maduro into other branches of government. The OAS also called for new presidential elections to be held. Meanwhile, Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza, described their resolution as “interfering” in the country’s internal affairs. 

The initiative was proposed by Colombia, and supported by Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, the United States and Uruguay, among other countries. It states that recognition of the legislative elections will be subject to minimum requirements being met, such as the release of political prisoners, the presence of certified international observers, and the participation of all political sectors.

The countries voting in favor of the resolution also called for new presidential elections and reaffirmed their support for the report of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which accuses Nicolas Maduro of crimes against humanity.