Rubio, Menendez Decry Takeover of Venezuela's National Assembly

Statement

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) released the following joint statement in response to the decision by Venezuela's Supreme Court to suspend the power of the opposition-controlled National Assembly and take over the country's legislative powers:

"This latest attack on what remained of democratic institutions in Venezuela is an egregious affront to the people of Venezuela and the values that shape our hemisphere. Venezuela's democracy has been on life support for years now, but the decision to shut down the country's legislative body confirms our worst fears: Maduro is an unhinged dictator who has systematically dismantled democracy in his country.

"With economic ruin, rampant criminality and no democratic process left in Caracas, the United States and the international community cannot stand idly by as Venezuelans continue to suffer under the Maduro regime's failed economic and social policies. We will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion with our colleagues in Congress, and through the Organization of American States, to demand reforms that correct course and help Venezuelans back from the brink of a collapsed state."

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