Quito, March 7 (RHC)- Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa announced on Thursday that the foreign ministers of the countries making up the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) would hold a meeting next Wednesday, March 12th, in Chile on the situation in Venezuela.

"There will be a meeting of UNASUR's foreign ministers, but prior to this initiative we must consult with the Venezuelan Government, out of common courtesy," said Correa in an interview, AFP reported.

The Ecuadorian president added that the foreign ministers would address the Venezuelan conflict on the occasion of their visit to Santiago de Chile, where they will be attending the inauguration of elected President Michelle Bachelet next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Bolivian President Evo Morales said the meeting of the UNASUR foreign ministers is to defend democracy in Venezuela and the constitutional government of President Nicolás Maduro.

President Morales blasted attempts by the Organization of American States (OAS) to interfere in Venezuela, saying: 'the time for OAS interference in the internal affairs of regional nations is over.'

He added: “Today, Latin America and the Caribbean have genuine regional bodies like UNASUR and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), among others, to discuss regional issues and solve conflicts.”

The Bolivian head of state stressed that conflicts registered in Venezuela are triggered by small US-backed right wing groups that are trying to destabilize the government of President Nicolás Maduro and the ongoing process of change in the South American country.

Morales noted that the new strategy of the United States is to fund small groups to generate conflict and then have a reason to intervene militarily through its NATO allies or UN blue helmets.