Venezuela says OAS chief is behind coup attempt

Santo Domingo.- Venezuela Foreign minister Dalcy Rodriguezon Monday accused Organization of American States (OAS) secretary general LuisAlmagro of promoting a coup in her nation.

In a press conference at Las Americas Airport upon arrivingin the country to participate in the OAS’ 46th General Assembly, Rodriguez saidAlmagro seeks to create a hostile environment, leading to an intervention by theUnited States in her country.

"President Nicolas Maduro is the legitimate andconstitutionally elected president in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, forwhich the immediate protection should be in favor of the government and notagainst it, as promoted by the Secretary General of the OAS," said the Venezuelanforeign minister.

She said the action promoted by Secretary General of theOAS against her country, is similar to what occurred in 1965, when the UnitedStates headed the military intervention against the Dominican Republic, a “sisternation of Venezuelans.”

"If there is a rupture of constitutional order inVenezuela the immediate protection should be give in favor of the government ofPresident Nicolas Maduro and the Bolivarian people," she said, adding thatAlmagro works in favor of president Maduro’s opponents, which she described asthe sectors that seek the path of a violent overthrow of the constitutionalgovernment.