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BBC News is reporting that Venezuelan President Nicolas Madura has broken diplomatic and economic ties with Panama after the Central American nation requested a meeting at the Organization of American States (OAS) to discuss Venezuela’s protest crisis. The announcement was made on the first anniversary of the death of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Maduro communicated his intentions to the presidents of Cuba (Raul Castro), Uruguay (Jose Mujica) and Bolivia (Evo Morales), among other leaders gathered around the tomb of Mr. Chavez.
The author writes:
“Panama’s President Ricardo Martinelli expressed surprise at Venezuela’s decision.
‘Panama only hopes that this brother nation finds peace and strengthens its democracy,’ Mr. Martinelli wrote on Twitter.
Panama’s official statement said the country was ‘astonished’ and called Mr. Maduro’s words ‘unacceptable’.
‘The measure announced by President Maduro should not become a smoke screen intended to hide reality,’ it read.”
Eighteen people have died in the protests over the last three weeks.
Read more at BBC News.
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