Ecuadorean Official: The U.S. Is the Threat in the Americas, Not Venezuela

The Obama administration is being criticized across Latin America for instituting new sanctions against Venezuela and declaring the country an “unusual and extraordinary threat to national security.” Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino says the U.S. has it backward.

“Democracy Now!” reports:

On Saturday, foreign ministers of the 12-country Union of South American Nations called for a revocation of the sanctions. In a statement, the ministers said: “It constitutes an interventionist threat to sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.” On Thursday, U.S. policy in Venezuela was also questioned during a meeting of the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C. Representatives from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and other nations all criticized the U.S. approach. … Ecuador has offered to mediate dialogue between the United States and Venezuela.

“Democracy Now!” continues:

In Ecuador, thousands of people took to the streets in Quito and at least 12 other cities on Thursday to protest against the government of President Rafael Correa. In Quito, protesters held signs reading “We want democracy” and “Say no to re-election.” Demonstrators rallied in part to oppose constitutional changes that would allow indefinite re-election of the president and other officials. We speak to Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño about the protests, press freedom in Ecuador and the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice in the ongoing lawsuit against Chevron over oil pollution.

— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.