The Obama administration is facing criticism across Latin America for leveling new sanctions against Venezuela and declaring the country an "unusual and extraordinary threat to national security." On Saturday, foreign ministers of the 12-country Union of South American Nations called for a revocation of the sanctions. In a statement, the ministers said: "It constitutes an interventionist threat to sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries." On Thursday, U.S. policy in Venezuela was also questioned during a meeting of the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C. Representatives from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and other nations all criticized the U.S. approach. We speak to Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño, who took part in the Organization of American States meeting yesterday. Ecuador has offered to mediate dialogue between the United States and Venezuela.

JUAN GONZÁLEZ: The Obama administration is facing criticism across South America for leveling new sanctions against Venezuela and declaring the country to be a, quote, "unusual and extraordinary threat to national security." On Saturday, foreign ministers of the 12-country Union of South American Nations called for a revocation of the sanctions. In a statement, the ministers said, "It constitutes an interventionist threat to sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries."

On Thursday, U.S. policy in Venezuela was also questioned during a meeting of the Organization of American States in Washington. Representatives from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and other nations all criticized the U.S. approach. According to a report by Telesur, Breno Dias da Costa, Brazil’s OAS representative, said, quote, "Venezuelan issues should be resolved by the Venezuelan people without sanctions." José Miguel Insulza of Chile is secretary general of the Organization of American States.

SECRETARY GENERAL JOSÉ MIGUEL INSULZA: (translated) We all recognize the right of Venezuela—its people, its government, its political parties, its social organizations—to resolve its problems in crisis without outside interference, with full respect of its constitution and the human rights of all its citizens.