People feeling Venezuela are part of a “coldly calculated” plot to destabilize the region and “spread socialism,” according to Colombia’s ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS).
The statement made by Ambassador Alejandro Ordonez, who has been known for his controversial positions, were quickly denounced by Human Rights Watch who called the Colombian ambassador “delirious.”
Colombia’s ambassador to the OAS Alejandro Ordoñez
The Americas director of Human Rights Watch, Jose Miguel Vivanco, immediately rejected the statements and accused Ordoñez of fueling “xenophobia and stigmatization.”
HRW Latin America director Jose Miguel Vivanco
Foreign minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo quickly tried to run damage control and released a rectification. While not retracting any of Ordoñez’ claims, the foreign minister said Venezuelan migration is a consequence of tyranny and accused Maduro of causing “deterioration of the economic political and social conditions in Venezuela.”
Trujillo reaffirmed Colombia’s commitment to receive migrants with “solidarity, humanitarian sentiment and historical gratitude.”
The controversial ambassador and staunch Catholic became a key supporter of President Ivan Duque ahead of the 2018 elections. In return, he was granted the ambassador’s position at the OAS.
Throughout his career, Ordoñez was guided by an unyielding moral vision that has made him a righteous crusader of fundamentalist Catholic values to some and a dangerous zealot to many others. He has become part of president Ivan Duque’s inner circle, in exchange for his support in the election.