BOGOTA, Colombia _ The head of the Organization of American States said Saturday that he would resign in exchange for reforms in Venezuela that he said would bring "freedom" to the South American nation.
In a video posted on Twitter and the OAS website, Secretary General Luis Almagro continued his harsh denunciation of the socialist country and said international silence on the issue was dangerous.
"Silence allowed the rise of Hitler and the genocide in Rwanda," he said.
Months of anti-government protests in Venezuela have left at least 75 dead. Most of those fatalities have come as protesters have clashed with government security forces.
"I know that Venezuelans protesting with dignity on the streets is a nightmare for the regime that oppresses them and for those in the international community who prefer 'peace' brought by intimidation and the violation of the rights of the people," he said.
Venezuela has long accused the OAS of being a U.S. mouthpiece and this year it began the process of withdrawing from the group, which includes every nation in the Western Hemisphere except Cuba. But Venezuela has also suggested that it would stay in the OAS if Almagro would quit.
On Saturday, Almagro said he would submit his resignation once Venezuela holds free and fair elections, releases political prisoners, allows humanitarian aid and restores the powers of the National Assembly. Those are essentially the same demands the protesters are making, and Almagro said they would represent "freedom" in Venezuela.
"Unfortunately, there are many things necessary to bring freedom to Venezuela," he concluded. "I offer to resign in exchange for freedom in Venezuela. ... We will never resign until we have freedom in Venezuela."
