Mexico rejects US proposal to "supervise democracy" in L. America
Mexico rejected on Monday a US proposal which calls for the creation of a so-called "democracy supervision mechanism" in Latin America.

"In principle, we don't agree with any supervision whatsoever, "Mexico's presidential spokesman Ruben Aquilar told the press.

The US proposal also gives the Organization of American States (OAS) the task of giving help to countries "where democracy is under threat."

"We agree in extending the guarantees and rights of the nations of the continent, though. We do agree with extending the respect of human rights, but never under the supervision of anyone," said Aquilar.

The remarks came at a time when a debate is under way on whether the OAS countries are ready to have an observation mechanism to prevent and manage crises at the bloc's annual general assembly being held between June 5 and 7 at Fort Laderdale, the United States.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday that the "OAS has to be a valid instrument to help the countries of America whose democracies are in peril."

She warned that American countries failing to fulfill democratic principles have to respond to the OAS.