The Organization of American States (OAS) held an extraordinary session today to discuss the ongoing Venezuelan migrant crisis, which has displayed approximately 2.3 million people over the last four years alone.
During the session, secretary general Luis Almagro called the plight of the Venezuelan migrant “desperate”, and presented an overview of the crisis as it exists today. Almagro has been one of the most vociferous opponents of the Maduro regime on the international stage since he took over leadership of the organization in 2015.
The OAS agreed to form a special delegation of observers who will travel to the border regions of Venezuela’s neighbours to assess the scope of the migration crisis.
After facing relentless criticism from member states over its authoritarian tendencies and wanton disregard for human rights, Venezuela announced that it was leaving the OAS in April of last year. However, given the OAS’ internal regulations, a member state can only leave the organization two years from the date on which they formalize their request to do so, meaning that Venezuela is still a member until next year.
Arreaza Heading to UN Human Rights Council
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jorge Arreaza is set to speak at the United Nations’ Human Rights Council next Tuesday, September 11 in Geneva.
According to EFE, Arreaza is hoping to meet with the new high commissioner for human rights, former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, although a meeting has not yet been set.
Arreaza last spoke before the Human Rights Council in February of this year, where he took the opportunity to lash out against anyone who spoke about the human rights crisis in Venezuela, and downplayed the severity of the crisis.
Inflation Rate for 2018 Hits 36,680.7%
The National Assembly’s Finance Committee revealed today that the country’s accumulated inflation rate for 2018–that is, the inflation rate between January and August of this year–sat at 34,680.7%. In August alone, the inflation rate shot up 223.1%.
Deputy Rafael Guzman, the president of the Committee, also revealed that the annualized inflation rate from August 2017 to August 2018 is 200,000%.
In late July, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that it expected Venezuela’s inflation rate to hit 1,000,000% at the end of 2018.
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