[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 21 (Monday, February 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE SITUATION IN VENEZUELA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 4, 2019

  Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I oppose U.S. military intervention in 
Venezuela. I am a cosponsor of legislation that would make that crystal 
clear to this Administration. At the same time, I strongly and 
unequivocally condemn reported acts of violence that have been carried 
out by security forces against Venezuelans peacefully exercising their 
fundamental civil rights, including to protest.
  We must find other ways to continue to express our nation's 
legitimate concerns, as well as that of the rest of the international 
community, about the attacks on human rights and democracy underway in 
that nation. I am aware of the demonstrations that Venezuelans, opposed 
to Nicolas Madura and his cronies, have held amid a deep and ongoing 
political and economic crisis.
  While continuing to condemn violence against protestors and attacks 
on basic democratic rights and institutions, the U.S. must also press 
for multilateral diplomatic actions to help create the conditions for a 
peaceful return to democratic order in Venezuela. Additionally, any 
sanctions (either bilaterally or multilaterally) imposed against 
Venezuela must be targeted at government officials and coordinated to 
avoid worsening the country's dire humanitarian emergency. And let's be 
clear, sanctions are not an end to themselves and do not substitute for 
smart and disciplined diplomacy.
  The U.S. should support international efforts to achieve a negotiated 
resolution. Rather than trying to repeat all the mistakes of our failed 
foreign policy of the past in this region, I urge this Administration 
to engage with other partners in order to best facilitate a return to 
democracy.
  Lastly, I share concerns about the individual, Elliott Abrams, 
appointed by this Administration to serve as a ``special envoy'' to 
Venezuela. His history, particularly with regards to his views on U.S. 
policy in this region, disqualify him to serve as an impartial 
implementer of a strong diplomatic effort to reach a peaceful 
resolution. Among other concerns, this individual was twice convicted 
of lying to Congress and has long held troubling views on how the U.S. 
should engage with governments in the region with which it disagrees.

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