WASHINGTON — The United States has urged Venezuela to allow the Organization of American States to visit youths who are on a hunger strike seeking the release of two political prisoners.
"We urge the Venezuelan government to agree to a visit by the OAS as a means to promote dialogue and understanding," the State Department said in a statement late Thursday.
The group of 13 Venezuelan youths, most of them students, have been on a fast since early February outside the OAS office in Caracas to press for the release of two jailed opposition deputies.
One of the deputies is awaiting trial on corruption charges, while the other was found guilty of being complicit in a homicide. The opposition charges that they were prosecuted for political reasons.
"We are concerned about the health and well being of the students who are risking their lives for their belief in democratic governance and individual liberties," the State Department said.
Among the hunger-strikers' demands is a visit by the OAS, but its secretary general Jose Miguel Insulza has said the regional organization cannot send a mission unless the government of President Hugo Chavez agrees.
Venezuelan authorities assert that the youths are protesting about internal matters that do not concern the OAS.
On a previous occasion, Caracas authorized an OAS visit in response to another hunger strike by a group of youths.
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