On Wednesday, the pro tempore presidency of Mercosur has been transferred to Venezuela despite objections of right-wing governments in the region. In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry of Uruguay, there are no legal impediments to prevent Venezuela from having the presidency, despite Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay opposing it. Rodolfo Nin Novoa, Uruguay's Foreign Minister announced he had notified other foreign ministers of the member states, as well as presented a report on the activities during their period ahead of the bloc.

The Ministry also declared that it has respected the institutional regulations of Mercosur, international law and the sovereignty of states.

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According to the three states, Venezuela will be thrown out of the union altogether if it does not come into compliance with the organization's rules. However, Argentine President Mauricio Macri already tried to suspend Venezuela from the bloc by invoking the Ushuaia Protocol and later had to back down after not acquiring support from other member countries.