Marco Rubio: OAS Should Investigate Venezuela Suppressing the Media

While the Venezuelan government released Miami Herald reporter Jim Wyss over the weekend, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., ripped the leadership of that South American nation. Rubio urged the Organization of American States (OAS) to investigate Venezuelas treatment of the media.

The Venezuelan government is a chronic violator of press freedom that must be held accountable. Jim Wyss is now safely home in the United States, but he should never have been detained in the first place, Rubio said. Venezuela has routinely violated the Inter-American Democratic Charter to which it is a signatory, and the OAS has a responsibility to hold them accountable for it. The OAS should begin an official investigation into Jim Wysss case, and make clear to all journalists in Venezuela and across the Western Hemisphere that any government that impedes their work will have to answer for it.

At the end of the day, Venezuelas inept leaders are responsible for the countrys rotten economy, rampant corruption and its dubious distinction as one of the murder capitals of the Americas, Rubio added. Journalists simply inform the world about whats going on, and we should demand that they be able to work freely and safely everywhere.