US to call on Latin American, Caribbean allies to suspend Venezuela from OAS: report

The Trump administration is set to call on countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to suspend Venezuela from the Organization of American States on Monday, McClatchy reported Friday. 

Vice President Pence is expected to make the plea at a reception when the organization meets in Washington next week, according to the report. 

In his remarks, Pence is expected to tell allies that the U.S. will take note of countries that vote against the plan to remove Venezuela from the regional organization, McClatchy reported. 

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The 35-member organization is set to meet in Washington on Monday and Tuesday for the 48th session of its General Assembly, during which Venezuela is expected to be a central topic. 

“Dictatorships thrive on the indulgence of regional divisions,” a White House official said, according to McClatchy. “The Maduro regime will only further consolidate autocratic power at the cost of democracy and freedom if OAS members lack the courage to act.”

A spokesperson for Pence did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

The expected demand marks the Trump administration’s latest efforts to crack down on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who won reelection in May in a contest that the U.S. and Venezuela’s political opposition called a sham.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on a number of Venezuelan officials and entities in recent weeks as it seeks to put pressure on Maduro’s government.