GUATEMALA SUPPORTS OAS PROCESS IN VENEZUELA

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 000412

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM VE GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA SUPPORTS OAS PROCESS IN VENEZUELA

REF: SECSTATE 36977

Classified By: PolMiloff Rob Copley for reason 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Ambassador Hamilton raised reftel talking points with
Foreign Minister Jorge Briz on February 19. Briz responded
that he has personally always been supportive of real
democracy in Venezuela, adding that until recently, as a
member of the private sector, he had maintained close contact
with counterparts in Venezuela's business community. Briz
said the GOG would give serious consideration to making a
statement either individually, or more likely, in concert
with its Central American neighbors at the upcoming Central
American Presidential Summit to be held in Guatemala next
week (three days before the CNE announces its decision on
February 28). Briz took the Ambassador's suggestion that the
MFA convoke the Venezuelan Charge to express the GOG's
concern.


2. (C) ADCM and PolOff backtracked the demarche with Vice
Minister for Foreign Affairs Marta Altoaguirre and Director
General for Multilateral Affairs Carla Rodriguez respectively
on February 20. Altoaguirre said the GOG will fully support
the OAS and Carter Center process and said that the decision
to annul signatures was "a provocation." She added that she
believes a referendum is the only way to avoid civil war in
Venezuela and said she would give serious thought to ways the
GOG can support the effort either through a statement at the
OAS Permanent Council or a joint declaration by the Central
Americans. Rodriguez was aware of our earlier interventions
and expressed appreciation for the talking points which we
left as a non-paper.
HAMILTON