Venezuela minister joins Mercosur meeting uninvited

Venezuela’s top diplomat turned up uninvited to a meeting of the South America’s Mercosur on Wednesday, despite Caracas’ suspension from the trade bloc for failing to meet democratic and trade standards. Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez pushed her way through a crowd of riot police and journalists to enter the Argentine foreign ministry in Buenos Aires where the extraordinary meeting was held. “These (Mercosur) presidents insist Venezuela can’t participate,” she told reporters outside the building. “Well, we’ll come in through the window because we’re here to defend Venezuela’s rights and also defend the rights of Mercosur.” She later tweeted a picture of herself inside the conference room. But her colleagues – who had explicitly said Venezuela was not invited – excluded her from the meeting, Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra said. More…