Venezuela accuses Costa Rica of ‘subordination’ to U.S.

Venezuela criticized Costa Rica this week for expressing support for several countries that have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the government of Nicolás Maduro for crimes against humanity.

“We had never seen a Costa Rican government that in such a short time… subordinated itself to the dictates of a government that so hates the Central American people,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza wrote on Twitter.

Arreaza wrote that by supporting the request, the Costa Rican government seeks to “distract the attention of the public opinion of its country” from the public sector strike that began weeks ago and that, according to the government, is ongoing only among education workers.

“President Carlos Alvarado, listen to your people, your decent workers, and respect the sovereign and independent peoples of our America,” said Arreaza.

Costa Rica expressed its support for the initiative of Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru, that was later backed by France as well. The group of countries sent a letter to the ICC requesting an investigation of the crimes against humanity committed under the Maduro government.

“Costloyal to its traditional defense for the promotion and protection of human rights, peace and democracy, has decided to support the managemeof denouncing the Venezuelan government of Nicolás Maduro, before the International Criminal Court (ICC),” says a statement from the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A statement from the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its stance is consistent with its “traditional defense for the promotion and protection of human rights, peace and democracy,” and that Maduro’s administration must comply with its its international human rights obligations.

Venezuela, with the largest oil reserves in the world and where crude represents 96 percent of income, faces an abrupt drop in its production, down to approximately 1.4 million barrels per day (mbd). This is the lowest rate in 30 years and very far from the 3.2 million produced in 2008.

The severe economic crisis includes 18 percent hyperinflation, lack of public services and a shortage of basic necessities that has led to massive exodus of hundred thousands of Venezuelans