The United States drew sharp criticism from Latin American and Caribbean nations during a heated Organization of American States (OAS) session in Washington on January 6, 2026, as regional leaders challenged Washington's approach to Venezuela's ongoing political and economic crisis. Representatives from over 30 Western Hemisphere countries participated in the debate, with multiple diplomats urging dialogue over sanctions.
Brazilian delegate Maria Fernanda Espinosa stated, 'Unilateral measures only deepen humanitarian suffering,' reflecting growing regional resistance to U.S. pressure tactics. Mexican Foreign Minister Alejandro Moreno proposed establishing a multilateral contact group, emphasizing that 'the Venezuela situation requires hemispheric solutions, not external dictates.'
The meeting occurred amid renewed protests in Caracas and worsening electricity shortages across Venezuela. While U.S. officials maintained their call for democratic reforms, several Caribbean states warned against interventionist rhetoric, with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' representative noting 'the dangerous precedent of regime change politics.'
