Majority of Venezuelans Under the Age of 5 Are Malnourished, According to Commission

02/13/2018 - 11h10

A report conducted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, a branch of the Organization of American States, revealed that almost 70% of Venezuelan children under the age of five are malnourished - 15% of which are in extreme condition.

The commission considered the country's situation "alarming and very serious". The Venezuelan government did not comment on the report.

Since the commission was not allowed to visit the country, the document was based on reports from Non-Governmental Organizations operating in Venezuela.

According to a survey conducted by local universities, 80% of Venezuelans say they have lost an average of 8.7 kilograms in 2016.

In addition to malnutrition, cases of sexual violence committed against opponents of the Maduro dictatorship have also been reported.

According to the text, in 2017, 5,341 arbitrary arrests were made.

The Organization of American States commission called for solidarity, especially in the case of countries that are taking in immigrants, such as Brazil.

On Monday (the 12th), president Michel Temer (MDB) went to Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima, where violence against foreigners has taken place.

Temer said that he would not be restricting the entrance of Venezuelans, but he did defend the relocation of immigrants to other states so as to alleviate the situation in Roraima.

He also promised to provide the state with additional funds and troops.

Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON

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