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OAS Secretary General Laments Death of Political Protesters in Venezuela

  October 1, 2012

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, lamented the deaths of two protesters in the state of Barinas during an event to mark the close of the campaign of opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski, within the framework of the electoral process taking place in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Insulza expressed his concern about the possibility of an increase in manifestations of political violence, and warned that deepening the existing differences and exacerbating tensions with these tragic events damaged the presidential election process that culminates next Sunday. In this regard, he expressed his hope that the events be investigated promptly and praised the reaction of the Minister of Interior and Justice, Tarek El Aissami, who ordered an immediate investigation.

The OAS leader called on Venezuelan society as a whole not to worsen political polarization and to act without violence and with responsibility not only before the country, but also before the international community, which is closely following developments in Venezuela, in hopes that the country’s democracy is strengthened on Sunday.

The Secretary General said that, although the OAS was not invited to observe the elections on Sunday, October 7, the organization is following with interest the Venezuelan electoral process.

Reference: E-343/12