The Lima Group of Latin American countries plus Canada said in a scathing statement on Monday that it did not recognize the result of Venezuela's presidential election and urged a swift response.
Socialist leader Nicolas Maduro was re-elected for another six-year term on Sunday in a highly controversial vote that was boycotted by the opposition and condemned internationally.
Read more: Venezuela's economic demise hovers over elections
Lima decries vote
In its statement, the 14 Lima Group nations vowed to recall their ambassadors and summon Venezuelan envoys stationed in their capitals, saying the vote failed to meet "international standards for a free, fair and transparent democratic process."
The bloc also voiced alarm over the "serious humanitarian situation" and announced plans to hold a meeting in Peru next month to respond to the Venezuelan refugee crisis.
It also urged international financial bodies to block new loans to the Venezuelan government and called on authorities in each of their countries to alert the financial sector to the risks of doing business with Caracas.
Read more: Can Germany be a new home for young Venezuelans?
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Venezuela on the brink
The last straw
In March 2017, violent protests erupted across the country in response to a Supreme Court decision to strip the legislative branch of its powers. Amid an international outcry, President Nicolas Maduro reversed the decision, but it was too late. Thousands continued to take to the streets, calling for new elections. More than 100 people were killed in clashes with security forces.
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Venezuela on the brink
Hunger, a growing problem
The violence added to the ongoing economic and political crisis in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans spend more than 30 hours a week waiting in lines to shop, and are often confronted with empty shelves when they finally enter a store. President Maduro blames the crisis on US price speculation. The opposition, however, accuses the Socialist government of economic mismanagement.
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Venezuela on the brink
Health care in crisis
The crisis has even affected health care in the oil-rich nation. Venezuelans often head to Colombia to collect medical supplies to send home, as seen in this picture. Hospitals across Venezuela have compared conditions to those seen only in war zones. As patient deaths rise, health officials have sounded the alarm on the rise of malaria and dengue fever.
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Venezuela on the brink
Power grab
By July 2017, Venezuela's pro-government Constituent Assembly was established. For observers, it had all the hallmarks of a power grab. The new body adopted the authority to pass legislation on a range of issues, effectively taking away the powers of Venezuela's elected congress, which was under the opposition's control. The move drew wide international condemnation.
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Venezuela on the brink
The West sanctions
In response to the political crisis, the United States and European Union imposed a series of sanctions against ruling officials. The US blacklisted members of the Constituent Assembly and froze all of Maduro's assets that are subject to US jurisdiction. The EU banned arms sales to the country.
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Venezuela on the brink
Government victorious in regional elections
In October 2017, Venezuela held two votes: regional elections and elections for governors, which were long overdue. The opposition boycotted the vote, but then split, as some candidates and small parties chose to participate. This caused a deep rift within Maduro's opponents. The government went on to sweep the vote, which detractors say was unfair and heavily favored the regime.
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Venezuela on the brink
Debt default
In November 2017, the oil-rich, cash-poor nation faced its day of reckoning. Credit ratings agencies declared Venezuela and its state-run oil company in "selective default." But Russia offered to restructure the South American country's debt to ensure Caracas pays its other creditors. US and EU sanctions, however, limited the chance of an agreement.
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Venezuela on the brink
Presidential elections scheduled
The National Assembly announced in January 2018 that it would grant Maduro's call for snap presidential elections. The electoral authority, CNE, held the elections on May 20. The EU, the US and 14 Latin American nations warned that they would not recognize the results. The mainstream MUD opposition alliance boycotted the vote, leaving only one possible outcome.
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Venezuela on the brink
Maduro wins ...
Maduro was re-elected to a second six-year term with about 68 percent of the vote. Turnout was only 46 percent, according to electoral authorities. However, the MUD opposition alliance put turnout at less than 30 percent. The Organization of American States (OAS) called the elections neither free nor fair.
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Venezuela on the brink
... Guaido assumes power
But weeks into the new year, the situation took a drastic turn. On January 23, 2019, parliament president Juan Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela — a move that was quickly recognized by US President Donald Trump. Maduro called it a US-backed "coup." Days later, the US sanctioned Venezuela's state oil firm, while Guaido staked his claim on the country's foreign assets.
Mounting criticism
According to official election results, Maduro won with nearly 68 percent of the vote, well ahead of his closest challenger, Henri Falcon, who finished on 21 percent.
The statement from Lima adds to growing international pressure on Maduro in the wake of the weekend vote. US State Department officials called it a "sham" and repeated threats to impose sanctions on Venezuela's crippled oil sector.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Spain and its European partners would "study appropriate measures and continue to work to alleviate Venezuelans' suffering."
Read more: UN agency warns of humanitarian 'catastrophe' in Venezuela
Deepening crisis
Venezuela's prolonged economic crisis has led to widespread food and medicine shortages, violent unrest and the exodus of more than a million people over the past two years.
Critics accuse Maduro of gross mismanagement and attempting to stifle dissent, but the socialist leader says his country is the victim of an "economic war" waged by the United States.
The Lima Group, which was created last year to deal with the Venezuela crisis, includes Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Santa Lucia and Canada.
Read more: The Summit of the Americas warns Venezuela
nm/rc (Reuters, AFP, AP)
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