CARACAS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Foreign Ministry on Tuesday denounced the Organization of American States (OAS) for its recognition of an envoy designated by opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's representative, while reaffirming its decision to retreat from the bloc.
Gustavo Tarre was recognized as Venezuela's legitimate delegate to the Washington D.C.-headquartered group on Tuesday at a special meeting.
Denouncing the decision as "the impudent and criminal violation of the international law and the Charter of the OAS," Venezuelan Foreign Ministry rebuked the organization in a statement for intending to "create conditions in order to deepen the interfering aggression against our country, including the threat of a military intervention."
One day after the special meeting, the OAS held a ceremony for Tarre to present his credentials as the "permanent representative," calling it a historic milestone for the region.
On Jan. 23, Guaido declared himself Venezuela's "interim president," days after President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a second term. Political tensions have been on the rise in the country following the United States and some of its allies recognized Guaido.
In April 2017, with an aim to protect the country's "sovereignty," the Venezuelan government made the decision to withdraw from the hemispheric bloc, triggering a process that would last for 24 months.
"The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela confirms its unwavering decision to abandon the Organization of American States on April 27, 2019," the country's Foreign Ministry said in the recently released statement.
