[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 24 (Thursday, February 7, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONDEMNING THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN VENEZUELA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2019

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the 
human rights atrocities that are occurring in Venezuela. Under the 
leadership of Nicolas Madura, Venezuela has reverted from one of the 
most prosperous nations in South America to a country into severe 
crisis.
  Venezuela's economy, once the envy of South America, currently faces 
one of the worst cases of hyperinflation in modern history. The 
International Monetary Fund expects the inflation rate to reach an 
astounding 10 million percent this year. Across the country Venezuelans 
are struggling to survive, facing immense difficulties putting food on 
the table or affording basic necessities such as fuel and medicine. 
More than 80 percent of Venezuelan households have insufficient access 
to food. As grocery stores become increasingly bare, hospitals too are 
running dangerously low on supplies as the medical system continues to 
crumble. Even though the Ministry of Health has stopped reporting 
national health data, we know that rates of malnutrition are rising, as 
are outbreaks of preventable diseases and the rate of infant mortality.
  Madam Speaker, more than three million Venezuelan citizens have fled 
their home to nearby nations, including nearly 300,000 who have come to 
the United States seeking refuge in 2018. As the situation continues to 
deteriorate, tens of thousands of protestors have taken to he street to 
protest the economic and humanitarian crises and demand change. We must 
stand with those who are putting their lives on the line to ensure that 
future generations of Venezuelans live in a peaceful and prosperous 
country.

                          ____________________