BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WORLD leaders and international institutions continue to express condemnation following yesterday (Jan. 6) brazen breach of security at the United States Congress on Capitol Hill.
The latest institution to join the chorus is that of the Organisation of American States (OAS), which, though its General Secretary, has sent a strong message condemning the brazen attack and rioting of the Capitol Building.
“The OAS General Secretariat condemns and repudiates the attack against institutions being carried out today in the United States by protesters who disavow recent electoral results. Democracy has as its fundamental pillar the independence of the powers of the State, which must act completely free of pressure,” the body said in a media statement.
Currently, four people are dead, including a female, 52 have been arrested and 14 police officers were injured in connection with the incident, which has brought national shame to the United States of America.
Rioting, looting, damage to property, disregard for offence were among some of the damage that were caught on camera yesterday when the buildings were taken over by pro-Trump protesters, as both Houses of the US Congress debated the US Electoral College votes.
The protest sent shockwaves across the world as House Representatives from both parties and Senators were sent scampering for safety as mayhem engulfed their buildings.
All of those actions came against the backdrop of the outgoing US President, Donald Trump continuing to champion his supporters to “stop the steal” of the elections.
Since losing the elections in November last, the President has been peddling contentious conspiracy theories, all of which were debunked by national security and elections officials alike.
Meanwhile, the OAS said the exercise of force and vandalism against the institutions constitute a serious attack against democratic functioning.
“We urge a return to much-needed rationality and a conclusion of the electoral process in accordance with the Constitution and the corresponding institutional procedures,” the statement added.
National security officials are expecting a large number of arrests to be made in the coming days after reviewing photos and video footage of the day.
