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Rubio Welcomes Important Step Toward OAS Review Of Venezuela Situation, Encourages President Obama To Support Panamanian Efforts

Feb 26, 2014 | Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement today welcoming the Organization of American States’ (OAS) formal consideration this Thursday of Panama’s request for a foreign ministers meeting on the ongoing situation in Venezuela:

“First of all, I commend the government and people of Panama for their solidarity with the Venezuelan people in recognizing the seriousness of the violent crackdown of peaceful demonstrations in Venezuela. This is an opportunity for the OAS to reclaim its rightful place as the forum to address key issues affecting the Western Hemisphere and reaffirm the hard fought democratic gains of the last four decades.

“President Obama has said that this is his year to use his pen and phone for action. Now, this is legitimately a time for President Obama to pick up his phone and encourage OAS member states to take part at Thursday’s meeting and support Panama’s request for a serious review of the Venezuelan government’s actions against peaceful demonstrations.

“This is the moment for truly democratic nations to stand up and be counted on the side of the Venezuelan people and democracy in the hemisphere.”